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Excelerate Energy

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FY2014 Annual Report · Excelerate Energy
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2014 Annual Report

Dear EE investors, customers, regulators, and interested stakeholders,

For more than 100 years, El Paso Electric (“EE” or 
the “Company”) has been dedicated to the long-term 
success and well-being of our region. Our more than 
1,000 local employees, management team and Board 
of Directors are committed to continuing our history of 
anticipating and investing in the plant, equipment and 
facilities required to provide reliable, cost-effective and 
clean energy for our growing region’s needs. These are 
exciting times in our service territory, as we continue to 
see significant growth; we now have more than 400,000 
customers. We are also excited about changes within 
the Company, the major construction projects we have 
undertaken and the challenge of preparing for our future, 
and our region’s future, in a rapidly changing world of 
energy services.

At EE, it is our responsibility and obligation to provide 
clean, safe and reliable energy at an affordable cost.  
While we work hard to keep expenses down, the costs 
of delivering reliable energy to our customers continues 
to go up. Several years ago, we began planning and 
investing to replace our aging plant and equipment and 
provide additional resources for our growing service 
territory. The time to make these improvements and 
build additional capacity is now. Delay is not an option 
if EE is to continue to have the most reliable and safest 
grid possible. We are proud to be a top-ranked 
investor-owned utility when it comes to reliability and 
customer satisfaction, and we intend to continue to 
excel in these areas for the benefit of our customers.

For more than 100 years, El Paso Electric (“EE” or 
the “Company”) has been dedicated to the long-term 
success and well-being of our region. Our more than 
1,000 local employees, management team and Board 
of Directors are committed to continuing our history of 
anticipating and investing in the plant, equipment and 
facilities required to provide reliable, cost-effective and 
clean energy for our growing region’s needs. These are 
exciting times in our service territory, as we continue to 
see significant growth; we now have more than 400,000 
customers. We are also excited about changes within 
the Company, the major construction projects we have 
undertaken and the challenge of preparing for our future, 
and our region’s future, in a rapidly changing world of 
energy services.
At EE, it is our responsibility and obligation to provide 
clean, safe and reliable energy at an affordable cost.  
While we work hard to keep expenses down, the costs 
of delivering reliable energy to our customers continues 
to go up. Several years ago, we began planning and 
investing to replace our aging plant and equipment and 
provide additional resources for our growing service 
territory. The time to make these improvements and 
build additional capacity is now. Delay is not an option 
if EE is to continue to have the most reliable and safest 
grid possible. We are proud to be a top-ranked 
investor-owned utility when it comes to reliability and 
customer satisfaction, and we intend to continue to 
excel in these areas for the benefit of our customers.
We have placed in service approximately $1.3 billion in 
new assets over the last 6 years, including the recently 
operational Montana Power Station (“MPS”) Units 1 
and 2, the Eastside Operations Center, as well as new 
transmission and distribution lines. As always, we are 
planning and managing our expenditures to ensure 

we are good stewards of our customers’ hard-earned 
dollars and the capital entrusted to us by our investors.  
We appreciate the trust placed in us by our stakeholders 
as we provide for the current and future needs of our 
customers and the communities we serve. Our ability 
to serve our customers over time also requires EE to 
ensure its financial strength by achieving a fair return on 
its invested capital, which now requires the first significant 
base rate increase in 20 years.

Now that MPS Units 1 and 2 are in-service, EE expects 
to file requests to increase base rates in New Mexico 
and Texas in the coming months. The need for rate 
recovery is necessitated predominantly by the increase 
in our invested capital driven by the replacement of plant 
and equipment, as well as load growth. These rate cases 
will be handled in a transparent, public process in which 
many stakeholders, including residents, business owners, 
and advocacy groups, will have input to the process.  
Everyone’s interests will be represented.

2014 solidified EE’s role as a leader in renewable energy 
and sustainable practices. Because we have the good 
fortune to be located in the high mountain desert of the 
Southwest, and due to the reduction in the cost of solar 
panels, we have been able to incorporate significant 
utility-scale solar generation into our portfolio at a cost 
competitive with conventional fossil fuel alternatives.The 
use of utility-scale solar provides the most economic 
solar option for our customers and also allows all of 

We currently plan to begin construction on MPS Units 3 
and 4 during the second quarter of 2015, and expect 
Unit 3 to begin commercial operation by the summer 
peak of 2016, and Unit 4 by the end of 2016.

In February of 2015, Michael K. Parks, EE’s Chairman of 
the Board of Directors, resigned from the Board after 
19 years of valuable, dedicated service to the Company. 
We thank Michael for his many contributions and wish 
him all the best. 

2015 will continue the challenging, but rewarding, 
work of building new infrastructure for our growing 
communities. We are reminded every day of the great 
strides made by EE, as well as by our region, and more 
importantly, of our potential. Our service territory is 
gifted with extraordinary sunshine to power economical 
utility scale solar facilities. Every day, the entire EE team 
is working to provide reliable and cost-effective power 
to our customers now and for the future, to generate 
appropriate returns for our shareholders and to make 
our communities and our Company even better places 
to live and work.

Thomas V. Shockley, III
Chief Executive Officer

Mary E. Kipp
President

On behalf of the EE team, we thank all our stakeholders 
for the opportunity to serve.

Charles A. Yamarone
Chairman of the Board of Directors

Officers

Thomas V. Shockley, III
Chief Executive Officer 

Mary E. Kipp
President 

Steven T. Buraczyk
Senior Vice President, Operations 

Nathan T. Hirschi
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Rocky R. Miracle
Senior Vice President,
Corporate Planning & Development and 
Chief Compliance Officer 

William A. Stiller
Senior Vice President, Human Resources and 
Customer Care 

Michael D. Blanchard
Vice President, Regulatory Affairs

John R. Boomer
Vice President, General Counsel 

Robert C. Doyle
Vice President, Transmission and Distribution 
and System Planning 

Russell G. Gibson
Vice President, Controller 

Eduardo Gutiérrez
Vice President, External and Public Affairs 

David C. Hawkins
Vice President, System Operations, Resource Planning 
and Management 

Kerry B. Lore
Vice President, Customer Care 

Andres R. Ramirez
Vice President, Power Generation 

Guillermo Silva, Jr.
Vice President, Community Outreach 

H. Wayne Soza
Vice President, Compliance and Chief Risk Officer 

Richard E. Turner
Vice President, Corporate Development

 
 
Board of Directors

Charles A. Yamarone
Chairman of the Board/El Paso Electric Company 
Managing Director, Houlihan Lokey, Los Angeles, CA 

James W. Harris
Managing Partner, OP Food Products, LLC and 
Harris Financial Advisors, LLC, Manns Harbor, NC 

Edward Escudero
Vice Chairman of the Board/El Paso Electric Company 
President and Chief Executive Officer, 
High Desert Capital, LLC, El Paso, TX 

Catherine A. Allen
Founder, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, 
The Santa Fe Group, Santa Fe, NM 

J. Robert Brown
Owner and President, Brownco Capital, LLC, El Paso, TX 

James W. Cicconi
Senior Executive Vice President,
External and Legislative Affairs, AT&T, Washington, D. C. 

Patricia Z. Holland-Branch
Owner, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, 
The Facilities Connection, Inc., El Paso, TX 

Woodley L. Hunt
Executive Chairman, 
Hunt Companies, Inc., El Paso, TX

Thomas V. Shockley, III
Chief Executive Officer/El Paso Electric Company, 
El Paso, TX

Eric B. Siegel
Retired Limited Partner of Apollo Advisors, LP; Consultant 
and Special Advisor to the Chairman of the Milwaukee 
Brewers Baseball Club, Los Angeles, CA 

Stephen N. Wertheimer
Managing Director and Founding Partner, 
W Capital Partners, New York, NY

 
 
2014 Operating Statistics

Operating Revenues (in thousands)

2014

2013

2012

Non-Fuel Base Revenues:

  Retail:

  Residential  
  Commercial and Industrial, Small 
  Commercial and Industrial, Large 
  Sales to Public Authorities 

  Total Retail Base Revenues

  Wholesale:

  Sales for Resale 

  Total Non-Fuel Base Revenues

Fuel Revenues:

  Recovered from Customers During the Period 
  Under (over) Collection of Fuel 
  New Mexico Fuel in Base Rates 

  Total Fuel Revenues

Off-System (Economy) Sales:

Fuel Cost 
  Shared Margins 
  Retained Margins 

  Total Off-System Sales 

Other 

  Total Operating Revenues

Number of Customers (End of Year): (a) 

  Residential 
  Commercial and Industrial, Small 
  Commercial and Industrial, Large 
  Other 

  Total

Average Annual kWH Use per Residential Customer

Energy Sales, MWh:

  Generated 
  Purchased and Interchanged 
  Total Energy Supplied

Energy Sales, MWh:

  Retail:

  Residential 
  Commercial and Industrial, Small 
  Commercial and Industrial, Large 
  Sales to Public Authorities 

  Total Retail

  Wholesale:

  Sales for Resale 
  Off-System (economy) Sales 

  Total Wholesale 
  Total Energy Sales 
Losses and Company Use 
  Total, Net

Native System:

  Peak Load, MW 
  Net Dependable Generating Capability for Peak, MW

Total System:

  Peak Load, MW 
  Net Dependable Generating Capability for Peak, MW

$234,371  
185,388  
39,239  
92,066  
551,064 

2,277  
553,341 

161,052  
3,110 
71,614  
235,776 

74,716  
21,117  
2,147  
97,980  
30,428  
$917,525 

353,885  
40,038  
49  
5,017  
398,989 

7,496 

9,477,129  
1,390,490  
10,867,619 

2,640,535  
2,357,846  
1,064,475  
1,562,784  
7,625,640 

61,729  
2,609,769  
2,671,498  
10,297,138  
570,481  
10,867,619 

1,766  
1,879 

2,001  
1,879 

$236,651  
184,568  
40,235  
95,044  
556,498 

2,172  
558,670 

133,481  
10,849  
73,295  
217,625 

68,241  
13,016  
1,549  
82,806  
31,261  
$890,362 

349,629  
39,164  
50  
5,043  
393,886 

7,701 

9,288,773  
1,547,930  
10,836,703 

2,679,262  
2,349,148  
1,095,379  
1,622,607  
7,746,396 

61,232  
2,472,622  
2,533,854  
10,280,250  
556,453  
10,836,703 

1,750  
1,852 

1,883  
1,852 

$234,095 
188,014  
42,041  
96,132  
560,282 

2,318  
562,600

130,193  
(18,539) 
74,154 
185,808

62,481  
9,191 
1,098  
72,770 
31,703  
$852,881

345,567 
38,494 
50  
4,896  
389,007 

7,712

9,262,133  
1,768,810 
11,030,943

2,648,348 
2,366,541  
1,082,973  
1,617,606  
7,715,468

64,266 
2,614,132 
2,678,398  
10,393,866 
637,077 
11,030,943

1,688 
1,765 

1,979  
1,765

(a)  The number of retail customers presented for 2012 and 2011 have been revised based on the number of service locations.  Previously the number of retail customers for 2012 and 2011 were based on the number of bills rendered including consolidated bills for customers operating multiple facilities.  
     Management believes that the number of service locations provides a more accurate indicator of customers served than the number of bills rendered.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2011

2010

2009

2008

2007

2006

2005

$234,086 
196,093 
45,407 
94,370 
569,956

2,122 
572,078

145,130 
13,917 
 73,454 
232,501

74,736 
3,883 
(560) 
78,059  
35,375  
$918,013 

339,860  
38,539  
49 
4,720  
383,168 

7,804 

8,936,776  
2,135,124  
11,071,900 

2,633,390  
2,352,218  
1,096,040  
1,579,565  
7,661,213 

62,656  
2,687,631  
2,750,287  
10,411,500  
660,400  
11,071,900 

1,714 
1,785

1,967  
1,785 

$217,615  
188,390 
43,844  
86,460  
536,309 

1,943  
538,252 

170,588  
(35,408)  
71,876  
207,056 

93,516  
6,114  
5,687  
105,317 
26,626  
$877,251 

334,729  
37,202 
50  
4,841 
376,822

7,560

8,465,659 
2,420,869  
10,886,528 

2,508,834 
2,295,537  
1,087,413  
1,542,389  
7,434,173 

53,637  
2,822,732  
2,876,369  
10,310,542  
575,986  
10,886,528 

1,616 
1,643 

1,889  
1,643 

$195,798  
175,328  
34,804  
77,370  
483,300 

2,037  
485,337 

196,081  
(66,608)  
69,026  
198,499 

101,665  
3,596  
10,803  
116,064  
28,096  
$827,996 

328,553  
36,306  
48  
4,964  
369,871 

7,244 

7,979,290  
2,745,500 
10,724,790

2,361,650 
2,251,399  
1,024,186  
1,482,448  
7,119,683

56,931  
2,995,984  
3,052,915  
10,172,598  
552,192 
10,724,790 

1,571  
1,643 

1,723  
1,643 

$184,800  
174,593  
36,318  
74,427  
470,138

 1,646  
471,784 

198,292  
42,752  
68,631  
309,675 

203,021  
 7,342  
22,137  
232,500 
24,971  
$1,038,930

322,618 
35,850  
49 
4,935  
363,452

6,955 

8,023,475  
3,152,396  
11,175,871 

2,227,838  
2,255,585  
1,102,277  
1,448,654 
7,034,354 

50,148  
3,506,770  
3,556,918  
10,591,272 
584,599  
11,175,871 

1,524  
1,503

1,669  
1,503 

$184,562  
168,091  
39,092  
72,763  
464,508 

1,919  
466,427

197,383   
17,828  
51,487 
266,698

106,393  
4,067 
15,514  
125,974 
18,328  
$877,427

317,091 
35,147  
53 
4,853  
357,144

7,085

7,707,095 
2,188,904 
9,895,999

2,232,668 
2,216,428  
1,195,038  
1,384,380  
7,028,514

48,290 
2,201,294 
2,249,584  
9,278,098 
617,901 
9,895,999

1,508 
1,492 

1,680  
1,492

 $175,641 
161,359 
40,502 
68,438 
445,940

1,794 
447,734

225,441  
(3,655) 
 30,033 
251,819

73,331 
4,340 
18,261 
95,932  
20,970  
$816,455

311,923  
32,950  
58  
4,800  
349,731 

6,852 

6,908,006  
2,208,661  
9,116,667

2,113,733  
2,159,599 
1,204,707  
1,343,129  
6,821,168 

45,397 
1,635,407  
1,680,804  
8,501,972  
614,695  
9,116,667 

1,428 
1,492

1,675  
1,492 

$173,007  
158,406 
39,192  
65,861  
436,466 

1,687  
 438,153 

164,500  
79,539 
29,440 
273,479 

57,943 
6,516  
13,750  
78,209 
14,072  
$803,913 

304,031  
31,969 
61  
 4,792 
340,853

6,936

7,500,144 
1,255,626  
8,755,770

2,090,098 
2,126,918 
1,165,506  
1,270,116  
6,652,638 

41,883  
1,420,778  
1,462,661  
8,115,299  
640,471  
8,755,770 

1,376 
1,479

1,628  
1,479

(a)  The number of retail customers presented for 2012 and 2011 have been revised based on the number of service locations.  Previously the number of retail customers for 2012 and 2011 were based on the number of bills rendered including consolidated bills for customers operating multiple facilities.  

     Management believes that the number of service locations provides a more accurate indicator of customers served than the number of bills rendered.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2014 Performance Highlights

Financial ($000)   

2014

2013

2012

Operating Revenues 
   Retail Non-Fuel Base Revenues 
   Deregulated Palo Verde Unit 3 Proxy Market Pricing
   Off-System Sales Gross Margins
   Retained Margins
Net Income
Total Assets

$551,064 
 $15,012 
 $23,264 
 $2,147 
 $91,428
$3,059,301

$556,498 
 $11,423 
 $14,565 
 $1,549 
 $88,583
$2,786,288

$560,282 
$9,848 
$10,289 
$1,098
$90,846 
$2,669,050

Common Stock Data

2014

2013

2012

Earnings Per Share (diluted weighted average) 
Market Price Per Share (year end close) 
Book Value Per Share
  Common Stock Equity
  Shares Outstanding at End of Year
Weighted Average Number of Shares
   and Dilutive Potential Shares Outstanding
Number of Registered Holders as of 12/31

$2.27
$40.06
$24.39 
$984,254 
40,356,624  

$2.20 
$35.11
$23.44 
$943,833 
40,266,706

$2.26
$31.91
$20.57 
$824,999 
40,112,078

40,211,717 
2,559

40,126,647 
2,680

40,055,581 
2,767

2014 Retail MWh Sales

2014 Retail Non-Fuel Base Operating Revenues

35% 
31%
14%
20%

Residential
Commercial & Ind. Small
Commercial & Ind. Large
Sales to Public Authorities

42% 
34%
7%
17%

Residential
Commercial & Ind. Small
Commercial & Ind. Large
Sales to Public Authorities

2015-2019 Construction Cost Estimates (in millions)

$514 
$156 
$332 
$95 
$1,097

Production
Transmission
Distribution
General
Total

  
  
 
 
 
Investor Relations

Securities and Records
The common stock of El Paso Electric is traded on 
the New York Stock Exchange. The ticker symbol is EE. 
EE and Computershare Shareowner Services act as 
co-registrars for EE’s common stock. Computershare 
Shareowner Services maintains all shareholder 
records of EE.

Form 10-K Report and Shareholder Inquiries
A complete copy of EE’s Annual Report and Form 10-K 
for the year ending December 31, 2014, which has 
been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, 
including financial statements and financial statement 
schedules, is available without charge upon written 
request to:

Investor Relations
El Paso Electric
P.O. Box 982
El Paso, TX 79960
Call: (800) 592-1634
Email: investor_relations@epelectric.com
Website: epelectric.com

Shareowner Services
Shareholders may obtain information relating to their share 
position, transfer requirements, lost certificates and other 
related matters by contacting Computershare Shareowner 
Services at (866) 202-2682 (inside the United States 
and Canada), (201) 680-6578 (outside the United States 
and Canada), or (800) 231-5469 (TDD) for the hearing 
impaired. The phone service is available to all shareholders 
Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., EST.

Address shareowner inquires to:
El Paso Electric Company
C/O Computershare
P.O. Box 43006
Providence, RI 02940-3006

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549 

(Mark One)

_______________________

Form 10-K

ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2014 

OR

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from              to             

Commission file number 001-14206

El Paso Electric Company

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Texas
(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation or organization)

Stanton Tower, 100 North Stanton, El Paso, Texas
(Address of principal executive offices)

74-0607870
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)

79901
(Zip Code)

Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (915) 543-5711

Title of each class
Common Stock, No Par Value

Name of each exchange on which registered
New York Stock Exchange

Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
None

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. 

YES  

    NO 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.

YES  

    NO  

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange 
Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been 
subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    YES  

   NO 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Website, if any, every Interactive 
Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months 
(or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).          YES  

    NO  

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be 
contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 
10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K.  

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting 
company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer" and "smaller reporting company" in Rule 126-2 of the Exchange 
Act.

Large accelerated filer

Accelerated filer

Non-accelerated filer

  (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

Smaller reporting company

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).    YES  

    NO  

As of June 30, 2014, the aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant was $1,597,139,431 (based 

on the closing price as quoted on the New York Stock Exchange on that date).

As of January 31, 2015, there were 40,352,478 shares of the Company’s no par value common stock outstanding.

Portions of the registrant’s definitive Proxy Statement for the 2015 annual meeting of its shareholders are incorporated by reference 

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

into Part III of this report.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The following abbreviations, acronyms or defined terms used in this report are defined below:

DEFINITIONS

Abbreviations, Acronyms or Defined Terms

Terms

ANPP Participation Agreement..........

Arizona  Nuclear  Power  Project  Participation Agreement  dated August  23,  1973,  as 
amended

APS.....................................................

  Arizona Public Service Company

ASU....................................................

  Accounting Standards Updates

Company ............................................

  El Paso Electric Company

DOE....................................................

  United States Department of Energy

El Paso................................................

  City of El Paso, Texas

FASB..................................................

  Financial Accounting Standards Board

FERC..................................................

  Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

Fort Bliss ............................................

  Fort Bliss, the United States Army post next to El Paso, Texas

Four Corners.......................................

  Four Corners Generating Station

kV .......................................................
kW ......................................................

  Kilovolt(s)
  Kilowatt(s)

kWh ....................................................

  Kilowatt-hour(s)

Las Cruces ..........................................

  City of Las Cruces, New Mexico

MW.....................................................

  Megawatt(s)

MWh...................................................

  Megawatt-hour(s)

NMPRC..............................................

  New Mexico Public Regulation Commission

Net dependable generating capability

The maximum load net of plant operating requirements which a generating plant can 
supply under specified conditions for a given time interval, without exceeding approved 
limits of temperature and stress

NRC....................................................

  Nuclear Regulatory Commission

Palo Verde...........................................

  Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station

Palo Verde Participants.......................

Those utilities who share in power and energy entitlements, and bear certain allocated 
costs, with respect to Palo Verde pursuant to the ANPP Participation Agreement

PNM ...................................................

  Public Service Company of New Mexico

PUCT..................................................

  Public Utility Commission of Texas

RGEC .................................................

  Rio Grande Electric Cooperative

RGRT..................................................
TEP.....................................................

  Rio Grande Resources Trust

  Tucson Electric Power Company

(i)

  
  
  
Item 

TABLE OF CONTENTS 

Description 

PART I 

1 

Business ...........................................................................................................................................  

  1A 

  1B 

2 

3 

Risk Factors .....................................................................................................................................  

Unresolved Staff Comments ............................................................................................................  

Properties .........................................................................................................................................  

Legal Proceedings ...........................................................................................................................  

4  Mine Safety Disclosures ..................................................................................................................  

PART II 

5  Market for Registrant's Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of  

  Equity Securities ............................................................................................................................  

6 

Selected Financial Data ...................................................................................................................  

    7  Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations ...........  

  7A 

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk .........................................................  

8 

9 

  9A 

  9B 

Financial Statements and Supplementary Data ...............................................................................  

Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure ..........  

Controls and Procedures ..................................................................................................................  

Other Information ............................................................................................................................  

PART III ........................................................................................................................................  

PART IV .........................................................................................................................................  

Page 

1 

15 

20 

20 

20 

20 

21 

24 

25 

41 

43 

100 

100 

100 

100 

100 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Certain matters discussed in this Annual Report on Form 10-K other than statements of historical information are "forward-
looking statements."  The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 has established that these statements qualify for safe 
harbors from liability. Forward-looking statements may include words like we "believe", "anticipate", "target", "expect", "predict", 
"pro forma", "estimate", "intend", "will", "is designed to", "plan" and words of similar meaning.  Forward-looking statements 
describe our future plans, objectives, expectations or goals.  Such statements address future events and conditions concerning and 
include, but are not limited to, such things as:

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

capital expenditures,

earnings,

liquidity and capital resources,

ratemaking/regulatory matters,

litigation,

accounting matters,

possible corporate restructurings, acquisitions and dispositions,

compliance with debt and other restrictive covenants,

interest rates and dividends,

environmental matters,

nuclear operations, and

the overall economy of our service area.

These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks that may cause our actual results in future periods to 
differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statement. Factors that would cause or contribute to such differences 
include, but are not limited to, such things as:

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

our ability to recover our costs and earn a reasonable rate of return on our invested capital through the rates
that we charge,

the ability of our operating partners to maintain plant operations and manage operation and maintenance
costs  at  the  Palo Verde  and  Four  Corners  plants,  including  costs  to  comply  with  any  new  or  expanded
regulatory or environmental requirements,

reductions in output at generation plants operated by us,

unscheduled outages of generating units including outages at Palo Verde,

the size of our construction program and our ability to complete construction on budget,

potential delays in our construction schedule,

disruptions  in  our  transmission  system,  and  in  particular  the  lines  that  deliver  power  from  our  remote
generating facilities,

electric utility deregulation or re-regulation,

regulated and competitive markets,

ongoing municipal, state and federal activities,

economic and capital market conditions,

changes in accounting requirements and other accounting matters,

changing weather trends and the impact of severe weather conditions,

rates, cost recovery mechanisms and other regulatory matters including the ability to recover fuel costs on
a timely basis,

changes in environmental laws and regulations and the enforcement or interpretation thereof, including
those related to air, water or greenhouse gas emissions or other environmental matters,

(iii)

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

changes  in  customers'  demand  for  electricity  as  a  result  of  energy  efficiency  initiatives  and  emerging
competing services and technologies,

cuts in military spending or shutdowns of the federal government that reduce demand for our services from
military and governmental customers,

political, legislative, judicial and regulatory developments,

the impact of lawsuits filed against us,

the impact of changes in interest rates,

changes in, and the assumptions used for, pension and other post-retirement and post-employment benefit
liability calculations, as well as actual and assumed investment returns on pension plan and other post-
retirement plan assets,

the impact of recent U.S. health care reform legislation,

the impact of changing cost escalation and other assumptions on our nuclear decommissioning liability for
Palo Verde, as well as actual and assumed investment returns on decommissioning trust fund assets,

Texas, New Mexico and electric industry utility service reliability standards,

possible physical or cyber attacks, intrusions or other catastrophic events,

homeland security considerations, including those associated with the U.S./Mexico border region,

coal, uranium, natural gas, oil and wholesale electricity prices and availability,

possible income tax and interest payments as a result of audit adjustments proposed by the IRS or state
taxing authorities,

loss of key personnel, our ability to recruit and retain qualified employees and our ability to successfully
implement succession planning, and

other circumstances affecting anticipated operations, sales and costs.

These lists are not all-inclusive because it is not possible to predict all factors.  A discussion of some of these factors is 
included in this document under the headings "Risk Factors" and "Management’s Discussion and Analysis" "–Summary of Critical 
Accounting Policies and Estimates" and "–Liquidity and Capital Resources."  This report should be read in its entirety.  No one 
section of this report deals with all aspects of the subject matter.  Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date such 
statement was made, and we are not obligated to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after 
the date on which such statement was made, except as required by applicable laws or regulations.

(iv)

Item 1. 

Business

PART I

General

El Paso Electric Company (the "Company") is a public utility engaged in the generation, transmission and distribution of 
electricity in an area of approximately 10,000 square miles in west Texas and southern New Mexico. The Company also serves a 
full requirements wholesale customer in Texas. The Company owns or has significant ownership interests in several electrical 
generating facilities providing it with a net dependable generating capability of approximately 1,879 MW. For the year ended 
December 31, 2014, the Company’s energy sources consisted of approximately 47% nuclear fuel, 35% natural gas, 5% coal, 13% 
purchased power and less than 1% generated by Company-owned solar photovoltaic panels and wind turbines. The Company's 
current generation portfolio exhibits lower carbon intensity than most other electric utilities in the southwestern United States and 
the Company continues to expand its portfolio of renewable energy sources, particularly solar photovoltaic generation. As of 
December 31, 2014, the Company has power purchase agreements for 107 MW from solar photovoltaic generation facilities. (See 
"Energy Sources- Purchased Power").

The Company serves approximately 399,000 residential, commercial, industrial, public authority and wholesale customers. 
The Company distributes electricity to retail customers principally in El Paso, Texas and Las Cruces, New Mexico (representing 
approximately 62% and 12%, respectively, of the Company’s retail revenues for the year ended December 31, 2014). In addition, 
the Company’s wholesale sales include sales for resale to other electric utilities and power marketers. Principal industrial, public 
authority and other large retail customers of the Company include United States military installations, including Fort Bliss in Texas 
and White Sands Missile Range and Holloman Air Force Base in New Mexico, an oil refinery, several medical centers, two large 
universities and a steel production facility.

The Company’s principal offices are located at the Stanton Tower, 100 North Stanton, El Paso, Texas 79901 (telephone 
915-543-5711). The  Company  was  incorporated  in Texas  in  1901. As  of  January 31,  2015,  the  Company  had  approximately 
1,000 employees, 38% of whom are covered by a collective bargaining agreement.

The Company makes available free of charge through its website, www.epelectric.com, its annual report on Form 10-K, 
quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, proxy statement, and all amendments to those reports as soon as 
reasonably practicable after such material is electronically filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission 
("SEC"). In addition, copies of the annual report will be made available free of charge upon written request. The SEC also maintains 
an internet site that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information for issuers that file electronically 
with the SEC. The address of that site is www.sec.gov. The information on the Company's website is not incorporated into this 
document by reference.

As of December 31, 2014, the Company’s net dependable generating capability of 1,879 MW consists of the following:

Facilities

Station

Palo Verde

Newman Power Station

Rio Grande Power Station

Four Corners (Units 4 and 5)

Copper Power Station

Renewables
Total

Primary Fuel
Type

Nuclear

Natural Gas

Natural Gas

Coal

Natural Gas

Wind/Solar

Company's Share 
of Net
Dependable
Generating
Capability *
(MW)

Company
Ownership
Interest

Location

633

752

321

108

64

1

1,879

15.8%

100%

Wintersburg, Arizona

El Paso, Texas

100% Sunland Park, New Mexico

7% Fruitland, New Mexico

100%

El Paso, Texas

Hudspeth/El Paso Counties,
Texas; Dona Ana County,
New Mexico

100%

____________________
* During summer peak period, the Company owned renewables include a wind ranch with a total capacity of 1.32 MW

and  six solar photovoltaic facilities with a total capacity of 0.2 MW.

1

Palo Verde Station

The Company owns an interest, along with six other utilities, in the three nuclear generating units and common facilities 
("Common Facilities") at Palo Verde. Arizona Public Service Company ("APS") serves as operating agent for Palo Verde, and 
under the ANPP Participation Agreement, the Company has limited ability to influence operations and costs at Palo Verde.

• Palo Verde Operating Licenses. Operation of each of the three Palo Verde Units requires an operating license
from the NRC.  The NRC issued full power operating licenses for Unit 1 in June 1985, Unit 2 in April 1986 and
Unit 3 in November 1987, and issued renewed operating licenses for each of the three units in April 2011, which
extended the licenses for Units 1, 2 and 3 to June 2045, April 2046 and November 2047, respectively.

• Decommissioning. Pursuant to the ANPP Participation Agreement and federal law, the Company must fund its
share of the estimated costs to decommission Palo Verde Units 1, 2 and 3, including the Common Facilities,
through the term of their respective operating licenses. In 2013, the Palo Verde Participants approved the 2013
Palo  Verde  decommissioning  study  (the  "2013  Study"),  which  estimated  that  the  Company  must  fund
approximately $380.7 million (stated in 2013 dollars) to cover its share of decommissioning costs.  At December
31, 2014, the Company's decommissioning trust fund had a balance of $234.3 million.  Although the 2013 Study
was based on the latest available information, there can be no assurance that decommissioning cost estimates
will not increase in the future or that regulatory requirements will not change.

•

Spent Fuel Storage.  Pursuant to the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982, as amended in 1987 (the "NWPA"), the
DOE is legally obligated to accept and dispose of all spent nuclear fuel and other high-level radioactive waste
generated by all domestic power reactors by 1998. The DOE's obligations are reflected in a contract for Disposal
of Spent Nuclear Fuel and/or High-Level Radioactive Waste (the "Standard Contract") with each nuclear power
plant. The DOE failed to begin accepting spent nuclear fuel by 1998. On December 19, 2012, APS, acting on
behalf of itself and the participant owners of Palo Verde, filed a second breach of contract lawsuit against the
DOE. This lawsuit sought to recover damages incurred due to the DOE’s failure to accept Palo Verde’s spent
nuclear fuel for the period beginning January 1, 2007 through June 30, 2011. On August 18, 2014, APS and the
DOE entered into a settlement agreement, stipulating to a dismissal of the lawsuit and payment of $57.4 million
by the DOE to the Palo Verde owners for certain specified costs incurred by Palo Verde during the period January
1,  2007  through  June  30,  2011.  On  October  8,  2014,  the  Company  received  approximately  $9.1  million,
representing its share of the award.  The majority of the award was refunded to customers through the applicable
fuel adjustment clauses.  On October 31, 2014, APS acting on behalf of itself and the participant owners of Palo
Verde, submitted to the government an additional request for reimbursement of spent nuclear fuel storage costs
for the period July 1, 2011 through June 30, 2014.  The total submitted claim amount was $42.5 million, of
which the Company's portion is $6.7 million. The reimbursement is anticipated to be received in the first half
of 2015, and the majority will be refunded to customers through the applicable fuel adjustment clauses.

• DOE’s Construction Authorization Application for Yucca Mountain. The DOE had planned to meet its disposal
obligations  by  designing,  licensing,  constructing,  and  operating  a  permanent  geologic  repository  at Yucca
Mountain,  Nevada.    In  March  2010,  the  DOE  filed  a  motion  to  dismiss  with  prejudice  its Yucca  Mountain
construction  authorization  application  that  was  pending  before  the  NRC.    Several  interested  parties  have
intervened in the NRC proceeding, and the proceeding has not been conclusively decided by the NRC or the
courts.  Additionally, a number of interested parties have filed a variety of lawsuits in different jurisdictions
around the country challenging the DOE's authority to withdraw the Yucca Mountain construction authorization
application and NRC’s cessation of its review of the Yucca Mountain construction authorization application.
The cases have been consolidated into one matter at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia
Circuit (the "D.C. Circuit").  In August 2013, the D.C. Circuit ordered the NRC to resume its review of the
application with available appropriated funds.

On October 16, 2014, the NRC issued Volume 3 of the safety evaluation report developed as part of the Yucca
Mountain  construction  authorization  application.    This  volume  addresses  repository  safety  after  permanent
closure, and its issuance is a key milestone in the Yucca Mountain licensing process.  Volume 3 contains the
NRC staff’s finding that the DOE’s repository design meets the requirements that apply after the repository is
permanently closed, including but not limited to the post-closure performance objectives in NRC’s regulations.

On December 18, 2014, the NRC issued Volume 4 of the safety evaluation report developed as part of the Yucca
Mountain  construction  authorization  application.    This  volume  covers  administrative  and  programmatic
requirements for the repository.  It documents the NRC staff’s evaluation of whether the DOE’s research and
development and performance confirmation programs, as well as other administrative controls and systems,

2

meet applicable NRC requirements.  Volume 4 contains the NRC staff’s finding that most administrative and 
programmatic requirements in NRC regulations are met, except for certain requirements relating to ownership 
of land and water rights.

Publication of Volumes 3 and 4 does not signal whether or when the NRC might authorize construction of the 
repository. The Company cannot predict when spent fuel shipments to the DOE will commence.

• Waste Confidence. On June 8, 2012, the D.C. Circuit issued its decision on a challenge by several states and
environmental groups of the NRC’s rulemaking regarding temporary storage and permanent disposal of high
level nuclear waste and spent nuclear fuel.  The petitioners had challenged the NRC’s 2010 update to the agency’s
Waste Confidence Decision and temporary storage rule (“Waste Confidence Decision”).

The D.C. Circuit found that the agency’s 2010 Waste Confidence Decision update constituted a major federal
action, which, consistent with the National Environmental Policy Act (“NEPA”), requires either an environmental
impact statement or a finding of no significant impact from the agency’s actions.  The D.C. Circuit found that
the NRC’s evaluation of the environmental risks from spent nuclear fuel was deficient, and therefore remanded
the 2010 Waste Confidence Decision update for further action consistent with NEPA.

On September 6, 2012, the NRC Commissioners issued a directive to the NRC staff to proceed directly with
development of a generic environmental impact statement to support an updated Waste Confidence Decision.
The  NRC  Commissioners  also  directed  the  NRC  staff  to  establish  a  schedule  to  publish  a  final  rule  and
environmental impact study within 24 months of September 6, 2012.

In September 2013, the NRC issued its draft Generic Environmental Impact Statement (“GEIS”) to support an
updated Waste Confidence Decision.  On August 26, 2014, the NRC approved a final rule on the environmental
effects of continued storage of spent nuclear fuel.  The continued storage rule adopted the findings of the GEIS
regarding the environmental impacts of storing spent fuel at any reactor site after the reactor’s licensed period
of operations.  As a result, those generic impacts do not need to be re-analyzed in the environmental reviews for
individual licenses.  Although Palo Verde had not been involved in any licensing actions affected by the D.C.
Circuit’s June 8, 2012, decision, the NRC lifted its suspension on final licensing actions on all nuclear power
plant licenses and renewals that went into effect when the D.C. Circuit issued its June 2012 decision.  The August
24 final rule has been subject to continuing legal challenges before the NRC and the Court of Appeals.

Palo Verde has sufficient capacity at its on-site independent spent fuel storage installation (“ISFSI”) to store all
of the nuclear fuel that will be irradiated during the initial operating license period, which ends in December
2027.  Additionally, Palo Verde has sufficient capacity at its on-site ISFSI to store a portion of the fuel that will
be irradiated during the period of extended operation, which ends in November 2047.  If uncertainties regarding
the United States government’s obligation to accept and store spent fuel are not favorably resolved, APS will
evaluate alternative storage solutions that may obviate the need to expand the ISFSI to accommodate all of the
fuel that will be irradiated during the period of extended operation.

• NRC Oversight of the Nuclear Energy Industry in the Wake of the Earthquake and Tsunami in Japan. The NRC
regulates the operation of all commercial nuclear power reactors in the United States, including Palo Verde.  The
NRC periodically conducts inspections of nuclear facilities and monitors performance indicators to enable the
agency to arrive at objective conclusions about a licensee's safety performance.  Following the March 11, 2011
earthquake and tsunami in Japan, the NRC established a task force to conduct a systematic and methodical
review of NRC processes and regulations to determine whether the agency should make additional improvements
to its regulatory system.  On March 12, 2012, the NRC issued the first regulatory requirements based on the
recommendations of the NRC's Near Term Task Force.  With respect to Palo Verde, the NRC issued two orders
requiring safety enhancements regarding: (1) mitigation strategies to respond to extreme natural events resulting
in the loss of power at plants; and (2) enhancement of spent fuel pool instrumentation.

The NRC has issued a series of interim staff guidance documents regarding implementation of these requirements.
Due  to  the  developing  nature  of  these  requirements,  the  Company  cannot  predict  the  ultimate  financial  or
operational impacts on Palo Verde or the Company; however, the NRC has directed nuclear power plants to
implement  the  first  tier  recommendations  of  the  NRC’s  Near  Term  Task  Force.    In  response  to  these
recommendations, Palo Verde expects to spend approximately $40 million for capital enhancements to the plant
over the next two years (the Company's share is $6.3 million) in addition to the approximate $80 million (the
Company’s share is $12.6 million) that has already been spent on capital enhancements as of December 31,
2014. 

3

• Liability and Insurance Matters. The Palo Verde Participants have insurance for public liability resulting from
nuclear energy hazards, covered by primary liability insurance provided by commercial insurance carriers and
an industry-wide retrospective assessment program.  If a loss at a nuclear power plant covered by the programs
exceeds the accumulated funds in the primary level of protection, the Company could be assessed retrospective
premium  adjustments  on  a  per  incident  basis  up  to  $60.4  million,  with  an  annual  payment  limitation  of
approximately $9.0 million. The Palo Verde Participants also maintain $2.8 billion of "all risk" nuclear property
insurance. The insurance provides coverage for property damage and decontamination at Palo Verde. For covered
incidents involving property damage not accompanied by a release of radioactive material, the policy's coverage
limit is $2.3 billion. In addition, the Company has secured insurance against portions of any increased cost of
generation or purchased power and business interruption resulting from a sudden and unforeseen outage at Palo
Verde.

Fossil-Fueled Plants

The Newman Power Station consists of three conventional steam-electric generating units and two combined cycle generating 
units.  The station operates primarily on natural gas but the conventional steam-electric generating units can also operate on fuel 
oil.

The  Company's  Rio  Grande  Power  Station  consists  of  three  conventional  steam-electric  generating  units  and  one 

aeroderivative unit which operate on natural gas. 

The Company's Copper Power Station consists of a natural gas combustion turbine used primarily to meet peak demand.

The Company owns a 7% interest in Units 4 and 5 at Four Corners. The Company shares power entitlements and certain 
allocated costs of the two units with APS (the Four Corners operating agent) and the other Four Corners participants. Four Corners 
is located on land under easements from the federal government and a lease from the Navajo Nation that expires in 2016. APS, 
on behalf of the Four Corners participants, negotiated amendments to the lease with the Navajo Nation which extended the lease 
from 2016 to 2041, pending the approval of the Department of the Interior and a Federal environmental review.  

The Company notified the other participants in 2013 that it would not continue in Four Corners after the termination of the 
50-year contractual term of the participation agreement but that it would offer to sell its interest to them in order to facilitate their 
decision to extend the life of the plant. On February 17, 2015, the Company and APS entered into an asset purchase agreement 
(the “Agreement”), providing for the purchase by APS of the Company’s interests in Four Corners. The cash purchase price is 
equal to the net book value of the Company’s interest in Four Corners at the date of closing, which is expected to occur not later 
than July 2016, subject to the receipt of regulatory approvals. The purchase price will be adjusted downward to reflect APS’s 
assumption in the Agreement of the Company’s obligation to pay for future plant decommissioning and mine reclamation expenses. 
At the closing, APS will also reimburse the Company for the undepreciated value of certain capital expenditures made prior thereto. 
APS will assume responsibility for all capital expenditures made after July 2016 and, with certain exceptions, any pre-2016 capital 
expenditures to be put into service following the closing. In addition, APS will indemnify the Company against liabilities and 
costs related to the future operation of Four Corners. 

Wind and Solar Photovoltaic Facilities

The Company’s Hueco Mountain Wind Ranch consists of two wind turbines with a total capacity of 1.32 MW. The Company 

also owns six solar photovoltaic facilities with a total capacity of 0.2 MW.

Transmission and Distribution Lines and Agreements

The Company owns or has significant ownership interests in four 345 kV transmission lines in New Mexico, three 500 kV 
lines in Arizona, and owns the transmission and distribution network within its New Mexico and Texas retail service area and 
operates these facilities under franchise agreements with various municipalities.  The Company is also a party to various transmission 
and  power  exchange  agreements  that,  together  with  its  owned  transmission  lines,  enable  the  Company  to  deliver  its  energy 
entitlements from its remote generation sources at Palo Verde and Four Corners to its service area. Pursuant to standards established 
by the North American Electric Reliability Corporation and the Western Electricity Coordinating Council, the Company operates 
its transmission system in a way that allows it to maintain system integrity in the event that any one of these transmission lines is 
out of service.  

4

In addition to the transmission and distribution lines within our service territory, the Company's transmission network and 

associated substations include the following:

Line

Length (miles)

Voltage (kV)

Springerville-Macho Springs-Luna-Diablo Line (1)

West Mesa-Arroyo Line (2)

Greenlee-Hidalgo-Luna-Newman Line (3)

Greenlee-Hidalgo

Hidalgo-Luna

Luna-Newman

Eddy County-AMRAD Line (4)

Palo Verde Transmission

Palo Verde-Westwing (5)

Palo Verde-Jojoba-Kyrene (6)

310

202

60

50

86

125

45

75

345

345

345

345

345

345

500

500

Company
Ownership
Interest

100.0%

100.0%

40.0%

57.2%

100.0%

66.7%

18.7%

18.7%

____________________
(1)   Runs from TEP's Springerville Generating Plant near Springerville, Arizona, to the Company's Diablo Substation 

near Sunland Park, New Mexico.

(2)   Runs from PNM's West Mesa Substation located near Albuquerque, New Mexico, to the Company's Arroyo 

Substation located near Las Cruces, New Mexico.

(3)   Runs from TEP's Greenlee Substation near Duncan, Arizona to the Newman Power Station.
(4)   Runs from the Company's and PNM's high voltage direct current terminal at the Eddy County Substation near 
Artesia, New Mexico to the AMRAD Substation near Oro Grande, New Mexico.  Due to damage caused by 
severe weather conditions which occurred in November and December of 2013, this transmission line is not 
currently in service.  The Company currently anticipates that this line will return to service before May 2015.
(5)   Represents two 45-mile, 500 kV lines running from Palo Verde to the Westwing Substation located northwest of 

Phoenix near Peoria, Arizona.

(6)   Runs from Palo Verde to the Jojoba Substation located near Gila Bend, Arizona, then to the Kyrene Substation 

located near Tempe, Arizona.

Environmental Matters

The Company is subject to extensive laws, regulations and permit requirements with respect to air and greenhouse gas 
emissions, water discharges, soil and water quality, waste management and disposal, natural resources and other environmental 
matters by federal, state, regional, tribal and local authorities. Failure to comply with such laws, regulations and requirements can 
result in actions by authorities or other third parties that might seek to impose on the Company administrative, civil and/or criminal 
penalties or other sanctions. In addition, releases of pollutants or contaminants into the environment can result in costly cleanup 
liabilities.  These  laws,  regulations  and  requirements  are  subject  to  change  through  modification  or  reinterpretation,  or  the 
introduction of new laws and regulations and, as a result, the Company may face additional capital and operating costs to comply.

See Part II, Item 8, "Financial Statements and Supplementary Data – Note K, Commitments, Contingencies and Uncertainties- 
Environmental Matters of Notes to Financial Statements" for more information regarding environmental risks, laws and regulations 
and legal proceedings for which we are and maybe subject to in the future.

Construction Program

Utility construction expenditures reflected in the following table consist primarily of local generation, expanding and updating 
the transmission and distribution systems, and the cost of capital improvements and replacements at Palo Verde.  Studies indicate 
that the Company will need additional power generation resources to meet increasing load requirements on its system and to 
replace retiring plants and terminated purchased power agreements, the costs of which are included in the table below.

5

The Company’s estimated cash construction costs for 2015 through 2019 are approximately $1.1 billion. Actual costs may 
vary from the construction program estimates shown. Such estimates are reviewed and updated periodically to reflect changed 
conditions.

By Year (1)(2)(3)
(estimates in millions)

2015................................................... $
2016...................................................
2017...................................................
2018...................................................
2019...................................................

Total ........................................... $

271
203
170
199
254
1,097

By Function
(estimates in millions)

Production (1)(2)(3).................... $
Transmission...............................
Distribution .................................
General........................................

514
156
332
95

Total..................................... $

1,097

__________________________
(1)  Does not include acquisition costs for nuclear fuel. See "Energy Sources – Nuclear Fuel."
(2)  $514 million has been allocated for new generating capacity of which $136 million is to construct four units of the 
Montana Power Station (the "MPS").  The $136 million consist of $11 million to complete construction of two 88 
MW gas-fired LMS-100 units that are scheduled to come on line before March 31, 2015 and $112 million for two 
additional 88 MW gas fired LMS-100 units scheduled to come on line before the summer peak in 2016 and 2017. 
An additional $13 million of common costs is associated with the development of the MPS common facilities. In 
addition to the construction costs for the MPS, $155 million of construction costs are included from 2018 through 
2019  for  a  combined  cycle  unit  scheduled  to  be  completed  in  2022.  In  addition  to  construction  costs  for  new 
generating capacity, generation costs include $24 million for other local generation, $13 million for Four Corners 
(which excludes costs for pollution control equipment that would be placed in service after the Company’s planned 
exit in July 2016), and $186 million for Palo Verde. The Company plans to deactivate Rio Grande Power Station 
Unit 6 (“Rio Grande 6”) before the peak demand of 2015.  Rio Grande 6 is a 45 MW steam-electric generating unit 
which was originally placed in service in 1957.  The Company may decide to reactivate Rio Grande 6 if needed. 
Additionally, as noted above, the Company intends to cease its participation in Four Corners in 2016.

(3)  Does not include four utility-scale solar energy generating facilities that may result from a recent request for proposal 

(RFP). These solar projects could have a combined maximum capacity up to 30 MW. 

6

General

Energy Sources

The following table summarizes the percentage contribution of nuclear fuel, natural gas, coal and purchased power to the 
total kWh energy mix of the Company. Energy generated by Company-owned solar photovoltaic panels and wind turbines accounted 
for less than 1% of the total kWh energy mix.

Years Ended December 31,

Power Source
Nuclear .................................................................
Natural gas............................................................
Coal ......................................................................
Purchased power ..................................................
Total...............................................................

2014

2012

2013
(percentage of energy mix)
47%
35
5
13
100%

46%
34
6
14
100%

46%
32
6
16
100%

Allocated fuel and purchased power costs are generally recoverable from customers in Texas and New Mexico pursuant to 
applicable regulations. Historical fuel costs and revenues are reconciled periodically in proceedings before the Public Utility 
Commission of Texas ("PUCT")  and the New  Mexico Public Regulation Commission ("NMPRC").  See "Regulation – Texas 
Regulatory Matters" and "– New Mexico Regulatory Matters."

Nuclear Fuel 

The nuclear fuel cycle for Palo Verde consists of the following stages:  the mining and milling of uranium ore to produce 
uranium concentrates; the conversion of the uranium concentrates to uranium hexafluoride ("conversion services"); the enrichment 
of uranium hexafluoride ("enrichment services"); the fabrication of fuel assemblies ("fabrication services"); the utilization of the 
fuel assemblies in the reactors; and the storage and disposal of the spent fuel.  

Pursuant  to  the ANPP  Participation Agreement,  the  Company  owns  an  undivided  interest  in  nuclear  fuel  purchased  in 
connection with Palo Verde. The Palo Verde Participants are continually identifying their future nuclear fuel resource needs and 
negotiating arrangements to fill those needs. The Palo Verde Participants have contracted for 100% of Palo Verde's requirements 
for uranium concentrates and conversion services through 2018 and 45% of its requirements in 2019-2021. The participants have 
also contracted for 100% of Palo Verde's enrichment services through 2020 and all of Palo Verde's fuel assembly fabrication 
services through 2022.  

Nuclear Fuel Financing. The Company’s financing of nuclear fuel is accomplished through Rio Grande Resources Trust 
("RGRT"), a Texas grantor trust, which is consolidated in the Company’s financial statements. RGRT has $110 million aggregate 
principal amount borrowed in the form of senior notes, of which $15 million will mature in August 2015. The Company will either 
repay or refinance the $15 million of senior notes upon maturity. The Company guarantees the payment of principal and interest 
on the senior notes. The nuclear fuel financing requirements of RGRT are met with a combination of the senior notes and short-
term borrowings under the revolving credit facility (the "RCF").

Natural Gas

The Company manages its natural gas requirements through a combination of a long-term supply contract and spot market 
purchases. The long-term supply contract provides for firm deliveries of gas at market-based index prices. In 2014, the Company’s 
natural gas requirements at the Newman and Rio Grande Power Stations were met with both short-term and long-term natural gas 
purchases from various suppliers, and this practice is expected to continue in 2015. Interstate gas is delivered under a base firm 
transportation contract. The Company has expanded its firm interstate transportation contract to include the MPS.  The Company 
anticipates it will continue to purchase natural gas at spot market prices on a monthly basis for a portion of the fuel needs for the 
Newman, Rio Grande and the MPS. The Company will continue to evaluate the availability of short-term natural gas supplies 
versus long-term supplies to maintain a reliable and economical supply for its local generating stations.

Natural gas for the Newman and Copper Power Stations is also supplied pursuant to an intrastate natural gas contract that 

became effective October 1, 2009 and continues through 2017. 

7

Coal

APS, as operating agent for Four Corners, purchases Four Corners' coal requirements from a supplier with a long-term lease 

of coal reserves owned by the Navajo Nation.  

On December 30, 2013, APS and Southern California Edison ("SCE") closed their previously announced transaction whereby 
APS agreed to purchase SCE's 48% interest in Units 4 and 5 of Four Corners. Concurrently with the closing of this transaction, 
the ownership of BHP Navajo Coal Company, the coal supplier and operator of the mine that serves Four Corners, was transferred 
to Navajo Transitional Energy Company, LLC ("NTEC"), a company formed by the Navajo Nation to own the mine and develop 
other energy projects.

The Company notified the other participants in 2013 that it would not continue in Four Corners after the termination of the 
50-year contractual term of the participation agreement but that it would offer to sell its interest to them in order to facilitate their 
decision to extend the life of the plant. On February 17, 2015, the Company and APS entered into an asset purchase agreement 
(the “Agreement”), providing for the purchase by APS of the Company’s interests in Four Corners. The cash purchase price is 
equal to the net book value of the Company’s interest in Four Corners at the date of closing, which is expected to occur not later 
than July 2016, subject to the receipt of regulatory approvals. The purchase price will be adjusted downward to reflect APS’s 
assumption in the Agreement of the Company’s obligation to pay for future plant decommissioning and mine reclamation expenses. 
At the closing, APS will also reimburse the Company for the undepreciated value of certain capital expenditures made prior thereto. 
APS will assume responsibility for all capital expenditures made after July 2016 and, with certain exceptions, any pre-2016 capital 
expenditures to be put into service following the closing. In addition, APS will indemnify the Company against liabilities and 
costs related to the future operation of Four Corners. 

Purchased Power

To supplement its own generation and operating reserves and to meet required renewable portfolio standards, the Company 
engages in power purchase arrangements which may vary in duration and amount based on evaluation of the Company’s resource 
needs, the economics of the transactions and specific renewable portfolio requirements.

The Company has a firm 100 MW Power Purchase and Sale Agreement with Freeport-McMoran Copper and Gold Energy 
Services LLC ("Freeport") which provides for Freeport to deliver energy to the Company from its ownership interest in the Luna 
Energy Facility (a natural gas-fired combined cycle generation facility located in Luna County, New Mexico) and for the Company 
to deliver a like amount of energy at Greenlee, Arizona. The Company may purchase up to the contracted MW amount at a specified 
price at times when energy is not exchanged under the Power Purchase and Sale Agreement. Upon mutual agreement, the contract 
allows the parties to increase the amount of energy that is purchased and sold under the Power Purchase and Sale Agreement. The 
parties have agreed to increase the amount to 125 MW through December 2015. The contract was approved by the FERC and 
continues through December 31, 2021. On December 30, 2014, the FERC issued an order authorizing the disposition, i.e. sale, of 
Freeport's interest in the Luna facility to Samchully Power & Utilities 1, LLC.  Freeport will retain the ability to purchase up to 
the full amount of its previous ownership share of the Luna facility of approximately 190 MW, thereby continuing to fulfill its 
obligations pursuant to the Power Purchase and Sale Agreement.

The Company has a 25-year purchase power agreement with Hatch Solar Energy Center I, LLC for a 5 MW solar photovoltaic 
project located in southern New Mexico which began commercial operation in July 2011. The Company entered into a 20-year 
contract with NRG Solar Roadrunner, LLC ("NRG") for the purchase of all of the output of a 20 MW solar photovoltaic plant 
built in southern New Mexico which began commercial operation in August 2011. The Company has 25-year purchase power 
agreements to purchase all of the output of two additional solar photovoltaic projects located in southern New Mexico, SunEdison 
1 (10 MW) and SunEdison 2 (12 MW) which achieved commercial operation on June 25, 2012 and May 2, 2012, respectively. 
The Company entered into these contracts to help meet its renewable portfolio requirements. The Company has a 20-year purchase 
power agreement with Macho Springs Solar, LLC to purchase the entire generation output delivered from the 50 MW Macho 
Springs solar photovoltaic project located in Luna County, New Mexico which began commercial operation on May 23, 2014. 
The Company has a 30-year purchase power agreement with PSEG El Paso Solar Energy Center ("PSEG") to purchase the total 
output of approximately 10 MW from a solar photovoltaic generation plant that PSEG owns and operates on land subleased from 
the Company in proximity to its Newman Generation Station. This solar project achieved commercial operation on December 30, 
2014. 

The Company entered into an agreement in 2009 to purchase capacity of up to 40 MW and unit contingent energy during 
2010 from Shell Energy North America ("Shell"). Under the agreement, the Company provided natural gas to Pyramid Unit No. 4 
where Shell had the right to convert natural gas to electric energy. The Company entered into a contract with Shell on May 17, 
2010 to extend the term of the capacity and unit contingent energy purchase from January 1, 2011 through September 30, 2014.

8

Other purchases of shorter duration were made during 2014 to supplement the Company's generation resources during planned 

and unplanned outages and for economic reasons as well as to supply off-system sales.

9

Operating Statistics

Operating revenues (in thousands):
Non-fuel base revenues:

Retail:

Residential..................................................................................... $
Commercial and industrial, small .................................................
Commercial and industrial, large ..................................................
Sales to public authorities .............................................................
Total retail base revenues.......................................................

Wholesale:

Sales for resale ..............................................................................
Total non-fuel base revenues .................................................

Fuel revenues:

Recovered from customers during the period.........................................
Under (over) collection of fuel ...............................................................
New Mexico fuel in base rates................................................................
Total fuel revenues........................................................................

Off-system sales:

Fuel cost..................................................................................................
Shared margins .......................................................................................
Retained margins ....................................................................................
Total off-system sales....................................................................
Other ..............................................................................................................

Total operating revenues........................................................ $

Number of customers (end of year) (1):

Residential......................................................................................................
Commercial and industrial, small ..................................................................
Commercial and industrial, large...................................................................
Other ..............................................................................................................
Total .......................................................................................
Average annual kWh use per residential customer ...............................................
Energy supplied, net, kWh (in thousands):

Years Ended December 31,
2013

2012

2014

$

$

234,371
185,388
39,239
92,066
551,064

2,277
553,341

161,052
3,110
71,614
235,776

74,716
21,117
2,147
97,980
30,428
917,525

353,885
40,038
49
5,017
398,989
7,496

$

$

236,651
184,568
40,235
95,044
556,498

2,172
558,670

133,481
10,849
73,295
217,625

68,241
13,016
1,549
82,806
31,261
890,362

349,629
39,164
50
5,043
393,886
7,701

234,095
188,014
42,041
96,132
560,282

2,318
562,600

130,193
(18,539)
74,154
185,808

62,481
9,191
1,098
72,770
31,703
852,881

345,567
38,494
50
4,896
389,007
7,712

Generated .......................................................................................................
Purchased and interchanged...........................................................................
Total .......................................................................................

9,477,129
1,390,490
10,867,619

9,288,773
1,547,930
10,836,703

9,262,133
1,768,810
11,030,943

Energy sales, kWh (in thousands):

Retail:

Residential ..............................................................................................
Commercial and industrial, small ...........................................................
Commercial and industrial, large............................................................
Sales to public authorities.......................................................................
Total retail .....................................................................................

Wholesale:

Sales for resale........................................................................................
Off-system sales......................................................................................
Total wholesale..............................................................................
Total energy sales...................................................................
Losses and Company use ...............................................................................
Total .......................................................................................

2,640,535
2,357,846
1,064,475
1,562,784
7,625,640

61,729
2,609,769
2,671,498
10,297,138
570,481
10,867,619

Native system:

Peak load, kW ................................................................................................
Net dependable generating capability for peak, kW......................................

1,766,000
1,879,000

Total system:

Peak load, kW (2) ..........................................................................................
Net dependable generating capability for peak, kW......................................

2,001,000
1,879,000

2,679,262
2,349,148
1,095,379
1,622,607
7,746,396

61,232
2,472,622
2,533,854
10,280,250
556,453
10,836,703

1,750,000
1,852,000

1,883,000
1,852,000

2,648,348
2,366,541
1,082,973
1,617,606
7,715,468

64,266
2,614,132
2,678,398
10,393,866
637,077
11,030,943

1,688,000
1,765,000

1,979,000
1,765,000

___________________________
(1) 
(2) 

The number of retail customers presented is based on the number of service locations. 
Includes spot sales and net losses of 235,000 kW, 133,000 kW and 291,000 kW for 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

10

General

Regulation

The rates and services of the Company are regulated by incorporated municipalities in Texas, the PUCT, the NMPRC and 
the FERC. Municipal orders, ordinances and other agreements regarding rates and services adopted by Texas municipalities are 
subject to review and approval by the PUCT. The FERC has jurisdiction over the Company's wholesale (sales for resale) transactions, 
transmission service and compliance with federally-mandated reliability standards. The decisions of the PUCT, the NMPRC and 
the FERC are subject to judicial review.

Texas Regulatory Matters

2012 Texas Retail Rate Case. On April 17, 2012, the El Paso City Council approved the settlement of the Company's 2012 
Texas retail rate case and fuel reconciliation in PUCT Docket No. 40094. The PUCT issued a final order approving the settlement 
on May 23, 2012 and rates were effective as of May 1, 2012. As part of the 2012 Texas retail rate settlement, the Company agreed 
to submit a future fuel reconciliation request covering the period beginning July 1, 2009 and ending no later than June 30, 2013 
by December 31, 2013 or as part of its next rate case, if earlier. The Company filed a fuel reconciliation request covering the period 
July 1, 2009 through March 31, 2013, as discussed below.  The 2012 Texas retail rate settlement also provided for the continuation 
of the energy efficiency cost recovery factor and the military base discount recovery factor. Both of these surcharges require annual 
filings to reconcile and revise the recovery factors.  

Energy Efficiency Cost Recovery Factor. The Company made its annual filing to establish its energy efficiency cost recovery 
factor for 2015 on May 1, 2014.  In addition to projected energy efficiency costs for 2015 and true-up to prior year actual costs, 
the Company requested approval of a $2.0 million bonus for the 2013 energy efficiency program results in accordance with PUCT 
rules.  In a proposal for decision issued on October 7, 2014, the Administrative Law Judge (“ALJ”) recommended approval of the 
Company’s requested cost recovery including the requested bonus. The PUCT approved the ALJ’s recommendation at its November 
14, 2014 open meeting. The PUCT decision was not appealed. The Company recorded the $2.0 million bonus as operating revenue 
in the fourth quarter of 2014.

Fuel and Purchased Power Costs. The Company's actual fuel costs, including purchased power energy costs, are recovered 
from customers through a fixed fuel factor. The PUCT has adopted a fuel cost recovery rule (the "Texas Fuel Rule") that allows 
the Company to seek periodic adjustments to its fixed fuel factor. The Company can seek to revise its fixed fuel factor based upon 
the approved formula at least four months after its last revision except in the month of December. The Texas Fuel Rule requires 
the Company to request to refund fuel costs in any month when the over-recovery balance exceeds a threshold material amount 
and it expects fuel costs to continue to be materially over-recovered. The Texas Fuel Rule also permits the Company to seek to 
surcharge fuel under-recoveries in any month the balance exceeds a threshold material amount and it expects fuel cost recovery 
to continue to be materially under-recovered. Fuel over and under-recoveries are considered material when they exceed 4% of the 
previous twelve months' fuel costs. All such fuel revenue and expense activities are subject to periodic final review by the PUCT 
in fuel reconciliation proceedings.  

On April 15, 2014, the Company filed a request, which was assigned PUCT Docket No. 42384, to increase its fixed fuel 
factor by $10.7 million or 6.9% annually, pursuant to its approved formula.  The revised fixed fuel factor reflected an expected 
increase in prices for natural gas over the twelve month period beginning March 2014.  The increase in the fixed fuel factor received 
final approval on May 28, 2014 and was effective with May 2014 billings.  As of December 31, 2014, the Company had under-
recovered fuel costs in the amount of $10.2 million for the Texas jurisdiction. The Company has been reducing the amount of the 
under-recovery since August 2014 and expects to continue to reduce the amount of under-recovery as long as the price of natural 
gas remains below the cost of natural gas included in its current fixed fuel factor.  If the price of natural gas increases above the 
cost of natural gas included in the current fixed fuel factor, the Company may request an increase to the fixed fuel factor and 
effectively mitigate an increase in the under-recovery balance.  If the under-recovered balance is above the materiality threshold 
at the time the fixed fuel factor increase is requested, then the Company will consider requesting a fuel surcharge to collect the 
remaining under-recovered balance. 

Fuel Reconciliation Proceeding. Pursuant to the 2012 Texas retail rate settlement discussed above, on September 27, 2013, 
the Company filed an application with the PUCT, designated as PUCT Docket No. 41852, to reconcile $545.3 million of fuel and 
purchased power expenses incurred during the 45-month period from July 1, 2009 through March 31, 2013. A settlement was 
reached and a final order was issued by the PUCT on July 11, 2014.  The twelve months ended December 31, 2014 financial results 
include  a  $2.1  million,  pre-tax  increase  to  income  reflecting  the  settlement  of  the Texas  fuel  reconciliation  proceeding. The 
settlement included the recognition of $3.4 million of Palo Verde performance rewards associated with the 2009 to 2012 performance 
periods net of disallowed fuel and purchased power costs of $1.75 million of which $0.5 million had been previously reserved. 
Palo  Verde  performance  rewards  are  not  recognized  in  the  Company’s  financial  results  until  the  PUCT  has  ordered  a  final 
determination in a fuel proceeding or comparable evidence of collectability is obtained.  In addition, the Company reimbursed the 

11

City of El Paso approximately $0.1 million in incurred expenses.  The settlement also provides that 100% of margins on non-
arbitrage off-system sales (as defined by the settlement) and 50% of margins on arbitrage off-system sales be shared with its Texas 
customers beginning April 1, 2014.  For the period April 1, 2014 through June 30, 2015, the Company’s total share of margins 
assignable to Texas retail jurisdiction, on arbitrage and non-arbitrage off-system sales, may not exceed 10% of the total margins 
assignable to the Texas retail jurisdiction on all off-system sales.  The Company also agreed to file with the PUCT a proceeding 
to address the reasonableness of the Company’s decision to not continue to participate in the Four Corners coal-fired generating 
Units 4 and 5 after July 2016.  It is expected that issues related to the final coal mine closing and reclamation costs will be addressed 
in that proceeding as well as other issues related to post-participation events such as the asset retirement obligations of the Company 
related to those two units.  The PUCT’s final order completes the regulatory review and reconciliation of the Company’s fuel 
expenses for the period through March 31, 2013. 

Montana Power Station Approvals.  As discussed further below, the Company has received a Certificate of Convenience and 
Necessity ("CCN") from the PUCT to construct all four units of the MPS in El Paso County, Texas. The Company also obtained 
air permits from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality ("TCEQ") and the EPA.

On June 23, 2014, the U.S. Supreme Court issued an opinion in the Utility Air Regulatory Group vs EPA regarding EPA’s 
authority to require GHG PSD permits for stationary sources.  The opinion concluded that the EPA erred in making applicability 
of the CAA permitting requirements based on GHG emissions.  As a result, the Company believes its EPA air permit is no longer 
required and could be rescinded, and it is eligible for a standard air permit to replace the new source review permit issued by the 
TCEQ.  Accordingly, on August 1, 2014, the Company submitted a request to the EPA to rescind the EPA air permit which request 
remains pending.  Also, on September 16, 2014, the Company applied for a standard air permit, which TCEQ issued on October 
2, 2014.  

On December 13, 2012, in PUCT Docket No. 40301, the Company received CCN approval from the PUCT for MPS Units 
1 and 2. On September 6, 2013, the Company filed an application with the PUCT for issuance of a CCN to construct, own and 
operate two additional 88 MW natural gas-fired generating units designated as the MPS Units 3 and 4. The case was designated 
PUCT Docket No. 41763. Hearings in this case were held before an ALJ in February 2014. On July 11, 2014, the PUCT approved 
the CCN to construct MPS Units 3 and 4. 

In 2013, the Company filed three transmission line CCN applications with the PUCT as part of the MPS Project:

• MPS to Caliente: a 115-kV transmission line from the MPS to the existing Caliente Substation in east El Paso. (PUCT

Docket No. 41360)

• MPS  In  &  Out:  a  115-kV  transmission  line  from  the  MPS  to  intersect  with  the  existing  Caliente  -  Coyote  115-kV

transmission line. (PUCT Docket No. 41359)

• MPS to Montwood: a 115-kV transmission line from the MPS to the existing Montwood Substation in east El Paso.

(PUCT Docket No. 41809)

The Company requested to build these transmission lines to connect the new MPS to the electrical grid in order to meet 
expected customer growth and electric demand and to improve system reliability. On March 10, 2014, the PUCT issued a final 
order approving a unanimous settlement in the MPS to Caliente transmission CCN filing. On August 18, 2014, the PUCT issued 
final orders approving unanimous settlements of the MPS In & Out transmission CCN filing and the MPS to Montwood transmission 
CCN filing. 

Other Required Approvals. The Company has obtained other required approvals for recovery of fuel costs through fixed fuel 

factors, other tariffs and approvals as required by the Public Utility Regulatory Act ( the "PURA") and the PUCT.  

New Mexico Regulatory Matters

2009 New Mexico Stipulation. On December 10, 2009, the NMPRC issued a final order conditionally approving the stipulated 
rates in NMPRC Case No. 09-00171-UT. The stipulated rates went into effect with January 2010 bills. The stipulated rates provide 
for an Efficient Use of Energy Factor Rate Rider to recover energy efficiency expenditures which requires an annual filing and 
approval of the related incentives and adjustment to the recovery factors.

Fuel and Purchased Power Costs. Fuel and purchased power costs are recovered through base rates and a Fuel and Purchased 
Power Cost Adjustment Clause (the "FPPCAC") that corrects for changes in the costs of fuel included in base rates. On January 
8, 2014, the NMPRC approved the continuation of the FPPCAC without modification in NMPRC Case No. 13-00380-UT.  Fuel 
and purchased power costs are reconciled to actual costs on a monthly basis and recovered or refunded to customers the second 
succeeding month. The Company recovers its investment in Palo Verde Unit 3 in New Mexico through the FPPCAC as purchased 
power using a proxy market price approved in the 2009 New Mexico rate stipulation.

12

Montana Power Station Approvals.  The Company has received a CCN from the NMPRC to construct all four units of the 
MPS and associated transmission lines.  The Company also obtained all necessary air permits from the TCEQ and EPA and has 
begun construction. A final order in NMPRC Case No. 13-00297-UT approving the CCN for MPS Units 3 and 4 was issued on 
June 11, 2014. 

Other Required Approvals. The Company has obtained other required approvals for other tariffs, securities transactions, 
long-term resource plans, recovery of energy efficiency costs through a base rate rider and other approvals as required by the 
NMPRC.   

Federal Regulatory Matters

Public Service Company of New Mexico's ("PNM") 2010 Transmission Rate Case. On October 27, 2010, PNM filed a Notice 
of Transmission Rate Change for transmission delivery services provided by PNM. These rates went into effect on June 1, 2011. 
The Company takes transmission service from PNM.  On January 2, 2013, the FERC issued a letter order approving a unanimous 
stipulation and agreement.  Pursuant to the stipulation, on January 31, 2013, PNM refunded $1.9 million for amounts that PNM 
collected since June 1, 2011 in excess of settlement rates. This amount was recorded in the fourth quarter of 2012 as a reduction 
of transmission expense. 

PNM Transmission Rate Case. On December 31, 2012, PNM filed with FERC to change its method of transmission rate 
recovery  for its transmission delivery services from stated rates to  formula rates.  The Company takes transmission service from 
PNM and is among the PNM transmission customers affected by PNM’s shift to formula rates. On March 1, 2013, the FERC 
issued an order rejecting in part PNM’s filing, and establishing settlement judge and hearing procedures.  The parties to the case, 
including the Company, have been participating in settlement negotiations.  The Company cannot predict the outcome of the case 
at this time.

Issuance of Long-Term Debt and Guarantee of Debt. In the fourth quarter of 2013, the Company received approval from the 
FERC to incrementally issue up to $300 million of long-term debt and to guarantee the issuance of up to $50 million of new long-
term debt by RGRT to finance future purchases of nuclear fuel and to refinance existing nuclear fuel debt obligations. The FERC 
approval was effective on November 15, 2013 and terminates two years thereafter. The $150 million in aggregate principal amount 
of 5.00% Senior Notes issued in December 2014 were issued pursuant to this approval.  The authorization to issue up to an additional 
$150 million of long-term debt and up to $50 million of new long-term debt by RGRT provides the Company with the flexibility 
to access the debt capital markets prior to the termination of the FERC approval on November 15, 2015. Additionally, the Company 
could request approval from the FERC to issue additional debt after November 15, 2015. The Company may decide to issue long-
term debt in the capital markets to finance capital requirements in late 2015 or early 2016.

Other Required Approvals. The Company has obtained required approvals for rates and tariffs, securities transactions and 

other approvals as required by the FERC.

Department of Energy. The DOE regulates the Company's exports of power to the Comisión Federal de Electricidad in 

Mexico pursuant to a license granted by the DOE and two presidential permits.

The DOE is authorized to assess operators of nuclear generating facilities a share of the costs of decommissioning the DOE's 
uranium enrichment facilities and for the ultimate costs of disposal of spent nuclear fuel. See Facilities-Palo Verde Station for 
discussion of spent fuel storage and disposal costs. 

Sales for Resale

The Company provides firm capacity and associated energy to the Rio Grande Electric Cooperative ("RGEC") pursuant to 
an ongoing contract with a two-year notice to terminate provision. The Company also provides network integrated transmission 
service to the RGEC pursuant to the Company's Open Access Transmission Tariff ("OATT"). The contract includes a formula-
based rate that is updated annually to recover non-fuel generation costs and a fuel adjustment clause designed to recover all eligible 
fuel and purchased power costs allocable to the RGEC.

Power Sales Contracts

The Company has entered into several short-term (three months or less) off-system sales contracts throughout 2015.

13

Franchises and Significant Customers

El Paso and Las Cruces Franchises

The Company has a franchise agreement with El Paso, the largest city it serves. The franchise agreement allows the Company 
to utilize public rights-of-way necessary to serve its retail customers within El Paso. The Company is also providing electric 
distribution service to Las Cruces under an implied franchise by satisfying all obligations under the franchise agreement that 
expired on April 30, 2009. 

The franchise arrangements held between the Company and the cities of El Paso and Las Cruces are detailed below:

City

El Paso

Las Cruces

Period

August 1, 2010 - Present

February 1, 2000 - Present

Franchise Fee (a)
(b)

4.00%

2.00%

(a) Based on a percentage of revenue.
  (b) 0.75% of the El Paso franchise fee is to be placed in a restricted fund to be used solely for economic 

development and renewable energy purposes.

Military Installations

The Company serves Holloman Air Force Base ("Holloman"), White Sands Missile Range ("White Sands") and Fort Bliss. 
The military installations represent approximately 5%  of the Company's annual retail revenues. In July 2014, the Company signed 
an agreement with Fort Bliss for an initial three-year term under which Fort Bliss takes retail electric service from the Company 
under the applicable Texas tariffs. The Company is serving White Sands under the applicable New Mexico tariffs. In March 2006, 
the Company signed a contract with Holloman that provides for the Company to provide retail electric service and limited wheeling 
services to Holloman for a  ten-year term which expires in January 2016 .

Other Information

Investors should note that we announce material financial information in our filings with the SEC, press releases and public 
conference  calls.  Based  on  guidance  from  the  SEC,  we  may  also  use  the  Investor  Relations  section  of  our  website 
(www.epelectric.com) to communicate with investors about our company. It is possible that the financial information we post 
there could be deemed to be material information. The information on our website is not part of this document. 

14

The executive officers of the Company are elected annually and serve at the discretion of the Board of Directors. The 

executive officers of the Company as of February 27, 2015, were as follows:

Executive Officers of the Registrant

Name
Thomas V. Shockley III

Mary E. Kipp................

Nathan T. Hirschi .........

Steven T. Buraczyk.......

Rocky R. Miracle .........

William A. Stiller..........

John R. Boomer............

Age
69 Chief Executive Officer since May 2012; Interim Chief Executive Officer from January 2012 
to May 2012;  Non-Employee Member of the Board of Directors from May 2010 to January 
2012; Vice – Chairman and Chief Operating Officer for American Electric Power from June 
2000 to August 2004; retired in 2004.

Current Position and Business Experience

47 President since September 2014; Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Chief Compliance 
Officer from June 2010 to September 2014; Vice President – Legal and Chief Compliance 
Officer from December 2009 to June 2010.

51 Senior  Vice President  and  Chief  Financial  Officer  since  October  2013;  Vice President and 
Controller  from  March  2010  to  October  2013;  Vice  President  –  Special  Projects  from 
December 2009 to February 2010.

47 Senior Vice President – Operations since October 2013;Vice President of Regulatory Affairs 
from April 2013 to October 2013; Vice President of Power Marketing and Fuels and Resource 
and Delivery Planning from August 2012 to April 2013; Vice President – System Operations 
and Planning from January 2011 to August 2012; Vice President – Power Marketing and 
Fuels from July 2008 to January 2011.

62 Senior Vice President – Corporate Planning & Development and Chief Compliance Officer 
since September 2014; Senior Vice President – Corporate Planning and Development from 
August 2009 to September 2014.

63 Senior  Vice  President  –  Human  Resources  and  Customer  Care  since  October  2013;  Vice 
President  and  Chief  Human  Resources  Officer  from  January  2013  to  October  2013; 
Independent Human Resources consultant from 2005 to 2013. 

53 Vice President – General Counsel since September 2014; Vice President and Treasurer from 
April 2014 to September 2014; Senior Vice President for Helen of Troy Limited from February 
2012 to January 2014; Senior Vice President-International for Helen of Troy Limited from 
July 2008 to February 2012. 

Russell G. Gibson.........

62 Vice President – Controller since September 2014; Chief Financial Officer – Vice President for 

ReadyOne Industries, Inc. from June 2006 to September 2014.

Item 1A. 

Risk Factors

Like other companies in our industry, our financial results will be impacted by weather, the economy of our service territory, 
market prices for power, fuel prices, and the decisions of regulatory agencies. Our common stock price and creditworthiness will 
be affected by local, regional and national macroeconomic trends, general market conditions and the expectations of the investment 
community, all of which are largely beyond our control. In addition, the following statements highlight risk factors that may affect 
our financial condition and results of operations. These are not intended to be an exhaustive discussion of all such risks, and the 
statements below must be read together with factors discussed elsewhere in this document and in our other filings with the SEC.

Our Revenues and Profitability Depend upon Regulated Rates

Our retail rates are subject to regulation by incorporated municipalities in Texas, the PUCT, the NMPRC and the FERC. 
The settlement approved in the Company's 2012 Texas rate case, PUCT Docket No. 40094, established the Company's current 
retail base rates in Texas, effective May 1, 2012. In addition, the settlement in the Company's 2009 New Mexico rate case, NMPRC 
Case 

, established rates in New Mexico that became effective on January 2010. 

Our profitability depends on our ability to recover the costs, including a reasonable return on invested capital, of providing 
electric service to our customers through base rates approved by our regulators.  These rates are generally established based on 
an analysis of the expenses we incur in a historical test year, and as a result, the rates ultimately approved by our regulators may 
or may not match our expenses at any given time and recovery of expenses may lag behind the occurrence of those expenses. 
Rates in New Mexico may be established using projected costs and investment for a future test year period in certain instances. 
While rate regulation is based on the assumption that we will have a reasonable opportunity to recover our costs and earn a 
reasonable rate of return on our invested capital, there can be no assurance that our future Texas rate cases or New Mexico rate 

15

cases will result in base rates that will allow us to fully recover our costs including a reasonable return on invested capital.  There 
can be no assurance that regulators will determine that all of our costs are reasonable and have been prudently incurred including 
costs associated with future plant retirement and asset retirement obligations.  It is also likely that third parties will intervene in 
any rate cases and challenge whether our costs are reasonable and necessary.  If all of our costs are not recovered through the retail 
base rates ultimately approved by our regulators, our profitability and cash flow could be adversely affected which, over time, 
could adversely affect our ability to meet our financial obligations. 

We May Not Be Able To Recover All Costs of New Generation and Transmission Assets

In 2013 and 2014, we received approval, both from the PUCT and the NMPRC, to construct four 88 MW simple-cycle 
aeroderivative combustion turbines at our Montana Power Station, a new plant site.  During 2013, we completed the construction 
of  Rio Grande Unit 9, an aeroderivative unit with a generating capacity of 87 MW, which reached commercial operation in May 
2013. We have risk related to recovering all costs associated with the construction of Rio Grande Unit 9, the Montana Power 
Station, and other new units and transmission assets.

In 2014, we issued $150 million in aggregate principal amount of 5.00% Senior Notes, due December 1, 2044. The net 
proceeds from the 5.00% Senior Notes along with borrowings under our revolving credit facility, which was amended and restated 
on January 14, 2014, could help fund the construction of the Montana Power Station and other capital additions. The costs of 
financing and constructing these assets will be reviewed in future rate cases in both Texas and New Mexico. To the extent that the 
PUCT or the NMPRC determines that the costs of construction are not reasonable because of cost overruns, delays or other reasons, 
we may not be allowed to recover these costs from customers in base rates.

In addition, if these units are not completed on time, we may be required to purchase power or operate less efficient generating 
units to meet customer requirements. Any replacement purchased power or fuel costs will be subject to regulatory review by the 
PUCT and the NMPRC. We face financial risks to the extent that recovery is not allowed for any replacement fuel costs resulting 
from delays in the completion of these new units or other new units.

Weakness in the Economy and Uncertainty in the Financial Markets Could Reduce Our Sales, Hinder Our Capital 
Programs and Increase Our Funding Obligations for Pensions and Decommissioning

In recent years, the global credit and equity markets and the overall economy have been through a state of turmoil. These 
and future events could have a number of effects on our operations and our capital programs. For example, tight credit and capital 
markets could make it difficult and more expensive to raise capital to fund our operations and capital programs. If we are unable 
to access the credit markets, we could be required to defer or eliminate important capital projects in the future. In addition, declines 
in the stock market performance may reduce the value of our financial assets and decommissioning trust investments. Such market 
results  may  also  increase  our  funding  obligations  for  our  pension  plans,  other  post-retirement  benefit  plans  and  nuclear 
decommissioning trusts. Changes in the corporate interest rates which we use as the discount rate to determine our pension and 
other  post-retirement  liabilities  may  have  an  impact  on  our  funding  obligations  for  such  plans  and  trusts.  Further,  continued 
economic volatility may result in reduced customer demand, both in the retail and wholesale markets, and increases in customer 
delinquencies and write-offs. Similarly, actions or inaction of Congress and of governmental agencies can impact our operations. 
For example, during 2013, sales to public authorities and small commercial and industrial customers were negatively impacted 
by the federal government sequestration and shutdown.The credit markets and overall economy may also adversely impact the 
financial health of our suppliers. If that were to occur, our access to and prices for inventory, supplies and capital equipment could 
be adversely affected. Our power trading counterparties could also be adversely impacted by the market and economic conditions 
which could result in reduced wholesale power sales or increased counterparty credit risk. Declines in revenues, earnings and cash 
flow from these events, could impact our ability to fund construction expenditures and impact the level of dividend payments. 
This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of possible effects, and we may be adversely impacted in other ways.

Our Costs Could Increase or We Could Experience Reduced Revenues if
There are Problems at the Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station

A significant percentage of our generating capacity, off-system sales margins, assets and operating expenses is attributable 
to Palo Verde. Our 15.8% interest in each of the three Palo Verde units totals approximately 633 MW of generating capacity. 
Palo Verde represents approximately 34% of our available net generating capacity and provided approximately 47% of our energy 
requirements for the twelve months ended December 31, 2014. Palo Verde comprises approximately 29% of our total net plant-
in-service and Palo Verde expenses comprise a significant portion of operation and maintenance expenses. APS is the operating 
agent for Palo Verde, and we have limited ability under the ANPP Participation Agreement to influence operations and costs at 

16

Palo Verde. Palo Verde operated at a capacity factor of 93.7% and 91.1% in the twelve months ended December 31, 2014 and 
2013, respectively.

Our ability to increase retail base rates in Texas and New Mexico is limited. We cannot assure that revenues will be sufficient 
to recover any increased costs, including any increased costs in connection with Palo Verde or other operations, whether as a result 
of inflation, changes in tax laws, regulatory requirements, the costs of securing the facilities against possible terrorist attacks, 
cyber attacks, or other causes.

We May Not Be Able to Recover All of Our Fuel Expenses from Customers On a Timely Basis Or at All

In general, by law, we are entitled to recover our reasonable and necessary fuel and purchased power expenses from our 
customers in Texas and New Mexico. NMPRC Case No. 13-00380-UT provides for energy delivered to New Mexico customers 
from the deregulated Palo Verde Unit 3 to be recovered through fuel and purchased power costs based upon a previous purchased 
power contract. Fuel and purchased power expenses in New Mexico and Texas are subject to reconciliation by the PUCT and 
NMPRC. Prior to the completion of a reconciliation, we record fuel and purchased power costs such that fuel revenues equal 
recoverable fuel and purchased power expense including the repriced energy costs for Palo Verde Unit 3 in New Mexico.  In the 
event that recovery of fuel and purchased power expenses is denied in any reconciliation proceeding, the amounts recorded for 
fuel and purchased power expenses could differ from the amounts we are allowed to collect from our customers, and we would 
incur a loss to the extent of the disallowance.

In New Mexico, the FPPCAC allows us to reflect current fuel and purchased power expenses in the FPPCAC and to adjust 
for under-recoveries and over-recoveries with a two-month lag. In Texas, fuel costs are recovered through a fixed fuel factor. In 
Texas, we can seek to revise our fixed fuel factor based upon our approved formula at least four months after our last revision 
except in the month of December. If we materially under-recover fuel costs, we may seek a surcharge to recover those costs at 
any time the balance exceeds a threshold material amount and is expected to continue to be materially under-recovered. During 
periods of significant increases in natural gas prices, the Company realizes a lag in the ability to reflect increases in fuel costs in 
its fuel recovery mechanisms in Texas. As a result, cash flow is impacted due to the lag in payment of fuel costs and collection of 
fuel costs from customers. To the extent the fuel and purchased power recovery processes in Texas and New Mexico do not provide 
for the timely recovery of such costs, we could experience a material negative impact on our cash flow. At December 31, 2014 
and 2013, the Company had a net under-collection balance of $9.3 million and $6.2 million, respectively.

Equipment Failures and Other External Factors Can Adversely Affect Our Results

The  generation  and  transmission  of  electricity  require  the  use  of  expensive  and  complex  equipment. While  we  have  a 
maintenance program in place, generating plants are subject to unplanned outages because of equipment failure and severe weather 
conditions. The advanced age of several of our gas-fired generating units in or near El Paso increases the vulnerability of these 
units. In the event of unplanned outages, we must acquire power from others at unpredictable costs in order to supply our customers 
and comply with our contractual agreements. This additional purchased power cost would be subject to review and approval of 
the PUCT and the NMPRC in reconciliation proceedings. As noted above, in the event that recovery for fuel and purchased power 
expenses could differ from the amounts we are allowed to collect from our customers, we would incur a loss to the extent of the 
disallowance. This can materially increase our costs and prevent us from selling excess power at wholesale. In addition, actions 
of other utilities may adversely affect our ability to use transmission lines to deliver or import power, thus subjecting us to unexpected 
expenses  or  to  the  cost  and  uncertainty  of  public  policy  initiatives.    Concerns  over  physical  security  and  cyber  security  of 
transmission lines and generation facilities is also increasing, which may require us to incur additional capital and operating costs. 
Damage to certain transmission and generation facilities due to vandalism or other deliberate acts, or damage due to severe weather 
could lead to outages or other adverse effects. We are particularly vulnerable to this because a significant portion of our available 
energy (at Palo Verde and Four Corners) is located hundreds of miles from El Paso and Las Cruces and must be delivered to our 
customers over long distance transmission lines. In addition, Palo Verde’s availability is an important factor in realizing off-system 
sales margins. These factors, as well as interest rates, economic conditions, fuel prices and price volatility, are largely beyond our 
control, but may have a material adverse effect on our earnings, cash flow and financial position.

Competition and Deregulation Could Result in a Loss of Customers and Increased Costs

As a result of changes in federal law, our wholesale and large retail customers already have access to, in varying degrees, 
alternative sources of power, including co-generation of electric power. Deregulation legislation is in effect in Texas requiring us 
to separate our transmission and distribution functions, which would remain regulated, from our power generation and energy 
services businesses, which would operate in a competitive market, in the future. In 2004, the PUCT approved a rule delaying retail 
competition in our Texas service territory. This rule was codified in the PURA in June 2011. The PURA identifies various milestones 

17

that we must reach before retail competition can begin. The first milestone calls for the development, approval by the FERC, and 
commencement of independent operation of a regional transmission organization in the area that includes our service territory. 
This and other milestones are not likely to be achieved for a number of years, if they are achieved at all. There is substantial 
uncertainty  about  both  the  regulatory  framework  and  market  conditions  that  would  exist  if  and  when  retail  competition  is 
implemented in our Texas service territory, and we may incur substantial preparatory, restructuring and other costs that may not 
ultimately be recoverable. There can be no assurance that deregulation would not adversely affect our future operations, cash flow 
and financial condition.

Future Costs of Compliance with Environmental Laws and Regulations Could 
Adversely Affect Our Operations and Financial Results

  We are or may become subject to extensive federal, state and local environmental laws and regulations relating to discharges 
into the air, air quality, discharges of effluents into water, water quality, the use of water, the handling, disposal and clean-up of 
hazardous  and  non-hazardous  substances  and  wastes,  natural  resources,  and  health  and  safety.   Compliance  with  these  legal 
requirements, which change frequently and often become more restrictive, could require us to commit significant capital and 
operating resources toward permitting, emission fees, environmental monitoring, installation and operation of pollution control 
equipment and purchases of air emission allowances and/or offsets. These could also result in limitations in operating hours and/
or changes in construction schedules for future generating units. 

  Costs of compliance with environmental laws and regulations or fines or penalties resulting from non-compliance, if not 
recovered in our rates, could adversely affect our operations and/or financial results, especially if emission and/or discharge limits 
are tightened, more extensive permitting requirements are imposed, additional substances become regulated and the number and 
types of assets we operate increase.  We cannot estimate our compliance costs or any possible fines or penalties with certainty, or 
the degree to which such costs might be recovered in our rates, due to our inability to predict the requirements and timing of 
implementation  of  environmental  laws  or  regulations.   For  example,  the  EPA  has  issued  in  the  recent  past  various  proposed 
regulations regarding air emissions, such as the proposed revision of the existing primary and secondary ground-level ozone 
National Ambient Air Quality Standards. If these regulations become finalized and survive legal challenges, the cost to us to 
comply could adversely affect our operations and our financial results.

Climate Change and Related Legislation and Regulatory Initiatives Could Affect Demand for
Electricity or Availability of Resources, and Could Result in Increased Compliance Costs

The Company emits GHGs (including carbon dioxide) through the operation of its power plants. Federal legislation had 
been introduced in both houses of Congress to regulate the emission of GHGs and numerous states have adopted programs to 
stabilize or reduce GHG emissions. Additionally, the EPA is proceeding with regulation of GHG under the CAA. Under EPA 
regulations finalized in May 2010, formerly known as the "Tailoring Rule", the EPA can impose GHG best achievable control 
technology requirements for sources, including power plants already required to implement prevention of significant deterioration 
under the CAA for certain other pollutants . 

In addition, in January 2014, the EPA published a proposal to establish new source performance standards limiting GHG 
emission from electric generating units on which construction commences after that date. Also, in June 2014, the EPA proposed 
carbon dioxide emissions standards for existing and reconstructed /modified power plants.  EPA expects to issue final rules for 
carbon dioxide emissions from new, existing and reconstructed/modified power plants by summer 2015. The potential impact of 
these rules (if and when finalized) on the Company is unknown at this time, but they could result in significant costs, limitations 
on operating hours, and/or changes in construction schedules for future generating units.

It is not currently possible to predict how any pending, proposed or future GHG legislation by Congress, the states or multi-
state regions or any GHG regulations adopted by the EPA or state environmental agencies will impact our business. However, any 
legislation or regulation of GHG emissions or any future related litigation could result in increased compliance costs or additional 
operating restrictions or increased or reduced demand for our services, could require us to purchase rights to emit GHG, and could 
have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, reputation or results of operations.

Security Breaches, Criminal Activity, Terrorist Attacks and Other Disruptions to Our Infrastructure Could Interfere 
With Our Operations, Could Expose Us or Our Customers or Employees to a Risk of Loss, and Could Expose Us to 
Liability, Regulatory Penalties, Reputational Damage and Other Harm to Our Business 

We rely upon our infrastructure to manage or support a variety of business processes and activities, including the generation, 
transmission and distribution of electricity, supply chain functions, and the invoicing and collection of payments from our customers. 
We also use information technology systems for internal accounting purposes and to comply with financial reporting, legal and 

18

tax requirements.   Our information technology networks and infrastructure may be vulnerable to damage, disruptions or shutdowns 
due to attacks by hackers, breaches due to employee error or malfeasance, system failures, natural disasters, a physical attack on 
our facilities, or other catastrophic events. The occurrence of any of these events could impact the reliability of our generation, 
transmission and distribution systems and energy marketing and trading functions; could expose us or our customers or employees 
to a risk of loss or misuse of information; and could result in legal claims or proceedings, liability or regulatory penalties against 
us, damage our reputation or otherwise harm our business. 

Additionally, we cannot predict the impact that any future information technology or terrorist attack may have on the energy 
industry in general. The effects of such attacks against us or others in the energy industry could increase the cost of regulatory 
compliance, increase the cost of insurance coverage or result in a decline in the U.S. economy which could negatively affect our 
results of operations and financial condition.  Ongoing and future governmental efforts to regulate cybersecurity in the energy 
industry could lead to increased regulatory compliance costs.

The Effects of Technological Advancement, Energy Conservation Measures and Distributed Generation Could 
Adversely Affect Our Operations and Financial Results

New technologies may emerge that could be superior to, or may not be compatible with, some of our existing technologies, 
and may require us to make significant expenditures to remain competitive.  Our future success will depend, in part, on our ability 
to anticipate and adapt to technological changes in a cost-effective manner and to offer, on a timely basis, services that meet 
customer demands and evolving industry standards.  

Additionally, the electric utility industry is undergoing other technological advances such as the expanded cost effective 
utilization of energy efficiency measures and distributed generation including solar rooftop projects.  Customers’ increased use 
of energy efficiency measures and distributed generation could result in lower demand.  Reduced demand due to energy efficiency 
measures and the use of distributed generation, to the extent not substantially offset through ratemaking mechanisms, could have 
a material adverse impact on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.   

19

Item 1B. 

Unresolved Staff Comments

None.

Item 2. 

Properties

The principal properties of the Company are described in Item 1, "Business," and such descriptions are incorporated herein 
by reference. Transmission lines are located either on company-owned land, private rights-of-ways, easements, or on streets or 
highways by public consent.

The Company owns an executive and administrative office building in El Paso. The Company leases land in El Paso adjacent 
to the Newman Power Station under a lease which expires in June 2033 with a renewal option of 25 years.  The Company also 
leases certain warehouse facilities in El Paso under a lease which expires in December 2015. The Company has several other 
leases for office and parking facilities which expire within the next three years.

Item 3. 

Legal Proceedings

The Company is a party to various legal actions. In many of these matters, the Company has excess casualty liability insurance 
that covers the various claims, actions and complaints. Based upon a review of these claims and applicable insurance coverage, 
the Company believes that none of these claims will have a material adverse effect on the financial position, results of operations 
or cash flows of the Company.

See  Item  1,  Business  -  "Environmental  Matters"  and  "Regulation",  and  Part  II,  Item  8,  "Financial  Statements  and 
Supplementary Data – Note K, Commitments, Contingencies and Uncertainties - Environmental Matters of Notes to Financial 
Statements" for discussion of the effects of government legislation and regulation on the Company as well as certain pending legal 
proceedings.

Item 4. 

Mine Safety Disclosures

Not Applicable.

20

PART II

Item 5. 

Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of 
Equity Securities. 

The Company’s common stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") under the symbol "EE". The intraday 
high, intraday low and close sales prices for the Company’s common stock, as reported in the consolidated reporting system 
of the NYSE, and quarterly dividends per share paid by the Company for the periods indicated below were as follows:

2013

First Quarter ............... $
Second Quarter ...........
Third Quarter..............
Fourth Quarter ............

2014

First Quarter ............... $
Second Quarter ...........
Third Quarter..............
Fourth Quarter ............

Sales Price

High

Low

Close

Dividends

(End of period)

$

$

34.18
38.91
39.12
36.18

37.16
40.33
40.43
42.17

$

$

31.84
32.47
32.26
32.43

33.44
35.21
35.39
35.34

33.65
35.31
33.40
35.11

35.73
40.21
36.55
40.06

$

$

0.250
0.265
0.265
0.265

0.265
0.280
0.280
0.280

21

Performance Graph

The following graph compares the performance of the Company’s common stock to the performance of Edison Electric 
Institute’s ("EEI") index of investor-owned electric utilities and the NYSE Composite, setting the value of each at December 31, 
2009 to a base of 100. The table sets forth the relative yearly percentage change in the Company’s cumulative total shareholder 
return, assuming reinvestment of dividends, as compared to EEI and the NYSE Composite, as reflected in the graph.

EE
EEI Index
NYSE Composite

12/31/2009
100
100
100

12/31/2010
136
107
111

12/31/2011
173
128
104

12/31/2012
164
131
118

12/31/2013
187
148
145

12/31/2014
219
191
151

As of January 31, 2015, there were 2,560 holders of record of the Company’s common stock.  The Company has been 
paying quarterly cash dividends on its common stock since June 30, 2011 and paid a total of $44.6 million in cash dividends 
during the twelve months ended December 31, 2014.  On January 29, 2015, the Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash 
dividend of $0.28 per share payable on March 31, 2015 to shareholders of record on March 16, 2015.  The Board of Directors 
plans to review the Company's dividend policy annually in the second quarter of each year.  Generally, we are targeting a 
payout ratio of approximately 45% to 55%.  Declaration and payment of dividends is subject to compliance with certain 
financial ratios under Texas law.  Since 1999, the Company has also returned cash to stockholders through a stock repurchase 
program pursuant to which the Company has bought approximately 25.4 million shares at an aggregate cost of $423.6 million, 
including commissions.  Under the Company’s program, purchases can be made at open market prices or in private transactions 
and repurchased shares are available for issuance under employee benefit and stock incentive plans, or may be retired.  On 
March 21, 2011, the Board of Directors authorized a repurchase of up to 2.5 million shares of the Company’s outstanding 
common stock (the "2011 Plan").  No shares of common stock were repurchased during the twelve months ended December 
31, 2014 under the 2011 Plan.  The table below provides the amount of the fourth quarter issuer purchases of equity securities.

Period

October 1 to October 31, 2014
November 1 to November 30, 2014
December 1 to December 31, 2014

Total
Number
of Shares
Purchased (a)

Average Price
Paid per Share
(Including
Commissions)
—
—
40.06

— $
—
4,696

Total Number of
Shares Purchased as
Part of a Publicly
Announced 
Program

—
—
—

Maximum Number 
of Shares that May 
Yet Be Purchased
Under the Plans
or Programs
393,816
393,816
393,816

_____________________
(a) Represents shares of common stock delivered to us as payment of withholding taxes due upon the vesting of 

restricted stock held by our employees, not considered part of the 2011 Plan.

22

For Equity Compensation Plan Information see Part III, Item 12 – Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners 

and Management.

23

Item 6.   Selected Financial Data

As of and for the following periods (in thousands except for share and per share data):

Operating revenues ........................................................ $
Operating income...........................................................
Income before extraordinary items ................................ $
Extraordinary gain, net of tax (a)................................... $
Net income ..................................................................... $
Basic earnings per share:

Income before extraordinary items......................... $
Extraordinary gain (a)............................................. $
Net income....................................................... $
2.27
Weighted average number of shares outstanding........... 40,190,991
Diluted earnings per share:

2.27

— $

$

Years Ended December 31,

2014

917,525

151,163

91,428

2013

890,362

165,635

88,583

$

$

$

2012

852,881

168,658

90,846

$

$

$

2011

918,013

190,803

103,539

$

$

$

$

$

$

— $

— $

— $

— $

91,428

$

$

88,583

2.20

$

$

90,846

2.27

$

$

103,539

2.49

$

$

— $

2.20

$

— $

2.27

$

— $

2.49

$

40,114,594

39,974,022

41,349,883

43,129,735

2010

877,251

168,962

90,317

10,286

100,603

2.08

0.24

2.32

Income before extraordinary items......................... $
Extraordinary gain (a)............................................. $
Net income....................................................... $

2.27

$

— $

2.27

$

2.20

$

— $

2.20

$

2.26

$

— $

2.26

$

2.48

$

— $

2.48

$

2.07

0.24

2.31

Weighted average number of shares and dilutive

 potential shares outstanding................................... 40,211,717

40,126,647

40,055,581

41,587,059

43,294,419

Dividends declared per share of common stock ............ $
Cash additions to utility property, plant and equipment $
277,078
Total assets..................................................................... $ 3,059,301
Long-term debt, net of current portion .......................... $ 1,134,179
Common stock equity .................................................... $
984,254

1.105

$

$

1.045

237,411

$

$

0.97

202,387

$

$

0.66

178,041

$

$

—

169,966

$ 2,786,288

$ 2,669,050

$ 2,396,851

$ 2,364,766

$

$

999,620

943,833

$

$

999,535

824,999

$

$

816,497

760,251

$

$

849,745

810,375

 ______________________
(a) 

Extraordinary gain for 2010 represents a $10.3 million extraordinary gain or $0.24 earnings per share related to Texas 
regulatory assets.  

24

Item 7. 

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations 

As you read this Management’s Discussion and Analysis, please refer to our Financial Statements and the accompanying 

notes, which contain our operating results.

Summary of Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

Our  financial  statements  have  been  prepared  in  conformity  with  Generally Accepted Accounting  Principles  ("GAAP"). 
Note A to the financial statements contains a summary of our significant accounting policies, many of which require the use of 
estimates and assumptions. We believe that of our significant accounting policies, the following are noteworthy because they are 
based on estimates and assumptions that require complex, subjective assumptions by management, which can materially impact 
reported results. Changes in these estimates or assumptions, or actual results that are different, could materially impact our financial 
condition and results of operation.

Regulatory Accounting

We apply accounting standards that recognize the economic effects of rate regulation in our Texas, New Mexico and FERC 
jurisdictions. As a result, we record certain costs or obligations as either assets or liabilities on our balance sheet and amortize 
them in subsequent periods as they are reflected in regulated rates. The deferral of costs as regulatory assets is appropriate only 
when the future recovery of such costs is probable. In assessing probability, we consider such factors as specific regulatory orders, 
regulatory precedent and the current regulatory environment. As of December 31, 2014, we had recorded regulatory assets currently 
subject to recovery in future rates of approximately $112.1 million and regulatory liabilities of approximately $26.1 million as 
discussed in greater detail in Note D of the Notes to the Financial Statements. In the event we determine that we can no longer 
apply the FASB guidance for regulated operations to all or a portion of our operations or to the individual regulatory assets recorded, 
we could be required to record a charge against income in the amount of the remaining unamortized net regulatory assets. Such 
an action could materially reduce our shareholders' equity.

Collection of Fuel Expense

In general, by law and regulation, our actual fuel and purchased power expenses are recovered from our customers. In times 
of rising fuel prices, we experience a lag in recovery of higher fuel costs. These costs are subject to reconciliation by the PUCT 
and the NMPRC. Prior to the completion of a reconciliation proceeding, we record fuel transactions such that fuel revenues, 
including fuel costs recovered through base rates in New Mexico, equal fuel expense. In the event that a disallowance of fuel cost 
recovery occurs during a reconciliation proceeding, the amounts recorded for fuel and purchased power expenses could differ 
from the amounts we are allowed to collect from our customers, and we could incur a loss to the extent of the disallowance.

Decommissioning Costs and Estimated Asset Retirement Obligation

Pursuant to the ANPP Participation Agreement and federal law, we must fund our share of the estimated costs to decommission 
Palo Verde Units 1, 2, 3 and associated common areas. The determination of the estimated liability requires the use of various 
assumptions pertaining to decommissioning costs, escalation and discount rates. We determine how we will fund our share of 
those  estimated  costs  by  making  assumptions  about  future  investment  returns  and  future  decommissioning  cost  escalations. 
Decommissioning costs will be adjusted prospectively for future changes in estimated decommissioning costs and when actual 
costs are incurred to decommission the plant. If the rates of return earned by the trusts fail to meet expectations or if estimated 
costs to decommission the plant increase, we could be required to increase our funding to the decommissioning trust accounts. 
Historically, we have been permitted to collect in rates in Texas and New Mexico the costs of nuclear decommissioning.

Future Pension and Other Post-retirement Obligations

Our obligations to retirees under various benefit plans are recorded as a liability on the balance sheets. Our liability is 
calculated on the basis of significant assumptions regarding discount rates, expected return on plan assets, rate of compensation 
increase, life expectancy of retirees and health care cost inflation. Changes in these assumptions could have a material impact on 
both net income and on the amount of liabilities reflected on the balance sheets.

Tax Accruals

We use the asset and liability method of accounting for income taxes. Under this method, we recognize deferred tax assets 
and  liabilities  for  the  future  tax  consequences  attributable  to  temporary  differences  between  the  financial  statement  carrying 

25

amounts and the tax basis of existing assets and liabilities. The application of income tax law and regulations is complex and we 
must make judgments regarding income tax exposures. Changes in these judgments, due to changes in law, regulation, interpretation, 
or audit adjustments can materially affect amounts we recognize in our financial statements.

The following is an overview of our results of operations for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012. Net income 

for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 is shown below:

Overview

Net income (in thousands) .................................................................................... $
Basic earnings per share........................................................................................

$

91,428
2.27

$

88,583
2.20

90,846
2.27

Years Ended December 31,

2014

2013

2012

26

The following table and accompanying explanations show the primary factors affecting the after-tax change in income 

between the calendar years ended 2014 and 2013, 2013 and 2012, and 2012 and 2011 (in thousands):

Prior year December 31 net income ............................................. $
Change in (net of tax):
Increased allowance for funds used during construction..............
Increased investment and interest income ....................................
Increased (decreased) non-base revenue, net of energy expense..
Decreased (increased) administrative and general expense..........
Decreased retail non-fuel base revenues.......................................
Increased taxes other than income taxes.......................................
Decreased (increased) depreciation and amortization ..................
Decreased (increased) operations and maintenance at fossil fuel
generating plants...........................................................................

Decreased (increased) Palo Verde operations and maintenance
expense .........................................................................................
Decreased (increased) customer care expense..............................

Increased interest on long-term debt (net of capitalized interest).
Other .............................................................................................
Current year December 31 net income ......................................... $

2014

2013

88,583

$

90,846

$

2012
103,539

6,157 (a)

5,309 (c)

3,779 (d)

1,536 (g)
(3,533) (j)
(3,252) (m)
(2,415) (o)

(1,792) (q)

(1,635) (s)
(1,393) (t)

(390)
474

91,428

$

895

1,382 (c)

2,345 (e)
(2,011) (h)
(2,459) (k)
(198)
(696)

751

964

1,737 (b)
(205)
(5,411) (f)
(5,643) (i)
(6,288) (l)
(1,223) (n)
1,804 (p)

(1,508) (r)

856

1,087 (u)

2,159 (u)

(2,611) (v)
(1,712)
88,583

(248)
1,277

$

90,846

______________________ 
(a) 

(b) 

(c) 

(d) 

(e) 

(f) 

(g) 

(h) 

(i) 

(j) 

(k) 

Allowance for funds used during construction ("AFUDC") increased, primarily due to higher balances of construction 
work in progress subject to AFUDC, primarily reflecting construction work in progress on the Montana Power Station 
and Eastside Operations Center.
AFUDC  increased,  primarily  due  to  higher  balances  of  construction  work  in  progress  subject  to AFUDC,  primarily 
reflecting construction of Rio Grande Unit 9, which was placed in service in May 2013.
Investment and interest income increased, primarily due to increased gains on the sales of equity investments in our Palo 
Verde decommissioning trust funds.  
Non-base revenues, net of energy expenses increased due to: (i) recognition of $2.2 million, in Palo Verde performance 
rewards associated with the 2009 to 2012 performance periods, net of disallowed fuel and purchased power costs related 
to the resolution of the Texas fuel reconciliation proceeding designated as PUCT Docket No. 41852; (ii) a $2.0 million, 
Texas Energy Efficiency bonus awarded in the fourth quarter of 2014; and (iii) an increase of $3.6 million in deregulated 
Palo Verde Unit 3 revenues.  The increase was partially offset by a decrease of $3.3 million in transmission wheeling 
revenues.
Non-base revenues, net of energy expenses increased due to an increase of $1.6 million in deregulated Palo Verde Unit 
3 revenues and an increase of $0.5 million in off-system sales retained margins.
Non-base revenues, net of energy expenses decreased due to a decrease of $5.0 million in deregulated Palo Verde Unit 
3 revenues and a decrease of $2.7 million in transmission wheeling revenues.
Administrative and general expense decreased, primarily due to decreased employee pensions and benefits reflecting 
changes in actuarial assumptions used to calculate expenses for our employee pension and post-retirement benefit plans 
and plan modifications.
Administrative and general expenses increased, primarily due to increased outside services related to software systems 
support and improvements and increased consulting and legal services related to the analysis of our future involvement 
at Four Corners.
Administrative and general expenses increased, primarily due to increased pension and benefits expense as a result of 
changes in actuarial assumptions used to calculate expenses for our retiree benefit plans.
Retail  non-fuel  base  revenues  decreased,  primarily  due  to  a  $3.0  million  reduction  in  revenues  from  sales  to  public 
authorities reflecting increased use of an interruptible rate at a military installation in our service territory as well as other 
energy saving programs at military installations; a $2.3 million decrease in sales to residential customers primarily due 
to milder weather; and a $1.0 million decrease in sales to large commercial and industrial customers. 
Retail non-fuel base revenues decreased, primarily due to a decrease in sales to small commercial and industrial customers 
and large commercial and industrial customers, reflecting the reduction in non-fuel base rates in Texas effective on May 
1, 2012, and a 1.1% decrease in sales to public authorities. 

27

(l) 

(m) 

(n) 

(o) 

(p) 

(q) 

(r) 

(s) 

(t) 

(u) 

(v) 

Retail non-fuel base revenues decreased, primarily due to a reduction in non-fuel base rates in Texas effective May 1, 
2012, and for commercial and industrial customers increased use of lower interruptible rates and decreased consumption 
by several large commercial and industrial customers.  
Taxes other than income taxes increased, primarily due to higher property tax values and assessment rates.  Additionally, 
in the first quarter of 2014, the Arizona tax district in which Palo Verde operates adjusted its 2013 property tax rate 
resulting in an additional charge of $1.3 million.
Taxes other than income taxes increased, primarily due to increased revenue related taxes in Texas and increased property 
taxes in New Mexico.
Depreciation and amortization increased due to increased depreciable plant balances including Rio Grande Unit 9, which 
began commercial operation on May 13, 2013.
Depreciation and amortization decreased due to a reduction in depreciation rates for Palo Verde reflecting the approval 
of a license extension for Palo Verde by the NRC in April 2011, and reduced depreciation rates on gas-fired generating 
units and on transmission and distribution plant as a result of the Texas rate case settlement in 2012.  The depreciation 
rate reductions were partially offset by higher depreciation expense due to an increase in depreciable plant.
Operations and maintenance at our fossil fuel generating plants increased, primarily due to maintenance at the Four 
Corners and Newman power stations in 2014 with a reduced level of maintenance expense in the same period last year, 
and increased payroll expense.
Operations and maintenance at our fossil fuel generating plants increased primarily due to the timing of maintenance at 
the Newman and Rio Grande power stations in 2012.
Palo  Verde  operations  and  maintenance  expense  increased  primarily  due  to  increased  payroll  including  incentive 
compensation.
Customer care expense increased primarily due to an increase in uncollectible customer accounts and an increase in 
payroll costs. 
Customer  care  expense  decreased  primarily  due  to  a  decrease  in  the  provision  for  uncollectible  accounts  reflecting 
improved collection efforts. 
Interest on long-term debt increased, primarily due to interest on $150 million of 3.3% Senior Notes issued in December 
2012, partially offset by the refunding and remarketing of two series of pollution control bonds at lower rates in August 
2012. 

28

The following discussion includes detailed descriptions of factors affecting individual line items in the results of operations. 

The amounts presented below are presented on a pre-tax basis.

Historical Results of Operations

Operating revenues

We recognize revenue from the sale of electricity to retail customers at regulated rates and the sale of energy in the wholesale 
power market generally at market-based prices. Sales for resale, which are FERC-regulated cost-based wholesale sales within our 
service territory, accounted for less than 1% of revenues in each of 2014, 2013 and 2012. 

Revenues  from the  sale  of  electricity include  fuel costs  that  are recovered  from  our  customers through  fuel  adjustment 
mechanisms. A significant portion of fuel costs are also recovered through base rates in New Mexico. We record deferred fuel 
revenues for the difference between actual fuel costs and recoverable fuel revenues until such amounts are collected from or 
refunded to customers. "Non-fuel base revenues" refers to our revenues from the sale of electricity excluding such fuel costs.

Retail non-fuel base revenue percentages by customer class are presented below:

Years Ended December 31,

2014

2013

2012

Residential.............................................................................
Commercial and industrial, small .........................................
Commercial and industrial, large ..........................................
Sales to public authorities .....................................................
Total retail non-fuel base revenues ................................

42%
34
7
17
100%

43%
33
7
17
100%

42%
34
7
17
100%

No retail customer accounted for more than 4% of our non-fuel base revenues during such periods. As shown in the table 
above, residential and small commercial customers comprise 76% of our non-fuel base revenues. While this customer base is more 
stable, it is also more sensitive to changes in weather conditions. The current rate structure in New Mexico and Texas reflects 
higher base rates during the peak summer season of May through October and lower base rates during November through April 
for our residential and small commercial and industrial customers. As a result, our business is seasonal, with higher kWh sales 
and revenues during the summer cooling season. The following table sets forth the percentage of our retail non-fuel base revenues 
derived during each quarter for the periods presented:

Years Ended December 31,

2014

2013

2012

January 1 to March 31..........................................
April 1 to June 30.................................................
July 1 to September 30.........................................
October 1 to December 31 ...................................
Total..............................................................

19%
27
33
21
100%

20%
27
33
20
100%

19%
27
33
21
100%

Weather significantly impacts our residential, small commercial and industrial customers, and to a lesser extent, our sales 
to public authorities. Heating and cooling degree days can be used to evaluate the effect of weather on energy use. For each degree 
the average outdoor temperature varies from a standard of 65 degrees Fahrenheit, a degree day is recorded. The table below shows 
heating and cooling degree days compared to a 10-year average for 2014, 2013 and 2012. 

Heating degree days ......................................
Cooling degree days ......................................

1,900
2,671

2,426
2,695

2,009
2,876

2014

2013

2012

10-year
Average

2,182
2,667

29

Customer growth is a key driver in the growth of retail sales. The average number of retail customers grew 1.3% in both 
2014 and 2013. See the tables presented on pages 32 and 33 which provide detail on the average number of retail customers and 
the related revenues and kWh sales.

Retail non-fuel base revenues.  Retail non-fuel base revenues decreased by $5.4 million, or 1.0% for the twelve months 
ended December 31, 2014 when compared to the same period in 2013.  The decrease reflects a $3.0 million decrease from sales 
to public authorities, primarily due to an increased use of an interruptible rate by a military installation customer, as well as other 
energy savings from energy conservation and efficiency programs and use of solar distributed generation at military installations. 
The decrease in retail non-fuel base revenues also resulted from a decline in sales to residential customers of $2.3 million and 
reflects milder weather in 2014, primarily in the first quarter.  The milder weather also suppressed sales to small commercial and 
industrial customers, and to a lesser extent public authority customers.  Heating degree days decreased 21.7% when compared to 
the same period last year, and were 12.9% below the 10-year average.  Cooling degree days were relatively consistent with both 
the same period last year and the 10-year average.  KWh sales to residential customers decreased 1.4% while the average number 
of residential customers served increased 1.3%.  Retail non-fuel base revenues from sales to small commercial and industrial 
customers increased slightly, when compared to the same period in 2013, due to a 2.0% increase in the average number of customers 
served partially offset by milder weather.  KWh sales to, and retail non-fuel base revenues from, large commercial and industrial 
customers decreased 2.8% and 2.5%, respectively, as several customers terminated operations.  

Retail non-fuel base revenues decreased by $3.8 million, or 0.7% for the twelve months ended December 31, 2013 when 
compared to the same period in 2012.  The decrease in retail non-fuel base revenues was primarily due to decreased revenues from 
our commercial and industrial customers, which reflects the impact of the reduction in non-fuel base rates for our Texas customers 
that became effective May 1, 2012.  Non-fuel base revenues from sales to small commercial and industrial and large commercial 
and industrial customers decreased 1.8% and 4.3%, respectively.  Retail non-fuel base revenues from sales to public authorities 
decreased 1.1%.  While the kWh sales to public authorities increased by 0.3% in 2013 compared to 2012, revenues from this 
customer class reflect the impacts of energy conservation and efficiency programs and use of solar distributed generation at military 
installations.  Additionally, 2013 revenues were negatively impacted by the federal government sequestration and shutdown in 
October 2013.  KWh sales to small commercial and industrial customers decreased 0.7%.  The decrease in retail non-fuel base 
revenues was partially offset by an increase of 1.1% in non-fuel base revenues from sales to residential customers reflecting a 
1.2% increase in kWh sales to our residential customer class.  The increase in kWh sales to our residential customers reflects a 
1.3% increase in the average number of residential customers served.  We experienced less favorable weather during our summer 
cooling season.  Cooling degree days decreased 6.3%, when compared to the same period in 2012, but were higher than the 10-
year average by 2.4%.  Heating degree days increased 20.8% over 2012 and were 8.0% higher than the 10-year average.

Fuel revenues. Fuel revenues consist of: (i) revenues collected from customers under fuel recovery mechanisms approved 
by the state commissions and the FERC; (ii) deferred fuel revenues which are comprised of the difference between fuel costs and 
fuel revenues collected from customers; and (iii) fuel costs recovered in base rates in New Mexico. In New Mexico and with our 
sales for resale customer, the fuel adjustment clause allows us to recover under-recoveries or refund over-recoveries of current 
fuel costs above the amount recovered in base rates with a two-month lag. In Texas, fuel costs are recovered through a fixed fuel 
factor. We can seek to revise our fixed fuel factor based upon our approved formula at least four months after our last revision, 
except in the month of December.  In addition, if we materially over-recover fuel costs, we must seek to refund the over-recovery, 
and if we materially under-recover fuel costs, we may seek a surcharge to recover those costs.  Fuel over and under recoveries are 
considered material when they exceed 4% of the previous twelve months' fuel costs.

On July 10, 2014, the PUCT approved a settlement in the Texas fuel reconciliation proceeding designated as PUCT Docket 
No. 41852 and financial implications of the settlement were recorded in the second quarter of 2014, increasing fuel revenues by 
$2.2 million.  This amount included $3.4 million of Palo Verde performance rewards associated with the 2009 to 2012 performance 
periods net of disallowed fuel and purchased power costs of $1.75 million as determined by the PUCT of which $0.5 million had 
been reserved.  The settlement provided for the reconciliation of fuel costs incurred from July 1, 2009 to March 31, 2013.

We under-recovered fuel costs by $3.1 million in the twelve months ended December 31, 2014.  Included in under-recovered 
fuel costs is $2.2 million related to Palo Verde performance rewards, net of certain disallowed costs.  In September 2014, $8.3 
million was credited to customers through the applicable fuel adjustment clauses as the result of a reimbursement from the DOE 
related to spent nuclear fuel storage.  We also under-recovered $10.8 million in fuel costs in the twelve months ended December 
31, 2013, while we over-recovered fuel costs by $18.5 million in the twelve months ended December 31, 2012.  A refund of $6.9 
million was returned to our Texas customers in the twelve months ended December 31, 2012.  At December 31, 2014, we had a 
net fuel under-recovery balance of $9.3 million, including an under-recovery balance of $10.3 million in Texas and FERC and an 
over-recovery  balance  of    $0.9  million  in  New Mexico.  Over-recoveries  in  New Mexico  will  be  refunded  through  our  fuel 
adjustment clause during 2015.  Effective with May 2014 billings, we increased our Texas fixed fuel factor by 6.9% to reflect 
increases in prices for natural gas.

30

Off-system sales. Off-system sales are wholesale sales into markets outside our service territory. Off-system sales are primarily 
made in off-peak periods when we have competitive generation capacity available after meeting our regulated service obligations. 
Beginning April 1, 2014, we share 100% of margins on non-arbitrage sales (as defined by the settlement) and 50% of margins on 
arbitrage sales with our Texas customers.  For the period April 1, 2014 through June 30, 2015, our total share of margins assignable 
to the Texas retail jurisdiction, on arbitrage and non-arbitrage off-system sales, may not exceed 10% of the total margins assignable 
to the Texas retail jurisdiction on all off-system sales.  Prior to April 1, 2014, we shared 90% of off-system sales margins with our 
Texas customers, and we retained 10% of off-system sales margins. We are sharing 90% of off-system sales margins with our 
New Mexico customers, and 25% of our off-system sales margins with our resale customers under the terms of their contract. 

Typically, we realize a significant portion of our off-system sales margins in the first quarter of each calendar year when our 
native load is lower than at other times of the year, allowing for the sale in the wholesale market of relatively larger amounts of 
off-system energy generated from lower cost generating resources. Palo Verde's availability is an important factor in realizing 
these off-system sales margins.  

The table below shows MWhs, sales revenue, fuel cost, total margins, and retained margins made on off-system sales for 

the twelve months ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 (in thousands except for MWhs).

MWh sales .....................................
Sales revenue ................................. $
Fuel cost......................................... $
Total margins................................. $
Retained margins ........................... $

Years Ended December 31,

2014

2,609,769
97,980
74,716
23,264
2,147

2013

2,472,622
82,806
68,241
14,565
1,549

$
$
$
$

2012

2,614,132
72,770
62,481
10,289
1,098

$
$
$
$

Off-system sales revenues increased $15.2 million or 18.3% and the related retained margins increased $0.6 million or 38.6% 
for the twelve months ended December 31, 2014 when compared to 2013 as a result of higher average market prices for power 
and a 5.5% increase in MWh sales.  Off-system sales revenues increased $10.0 million or 13.8% and the related retained margins 
increased $0.5 million or 41.1% for the twelve months ended December 31, 2013 when compared to the same period in 2012, as 
a result of higher average market prices for power partially offset by a 5.4% decline in MWh sales.  

31

Comparisons of kWh sales and operating revenues are shown below: 

Years Ended December 31:
kWh sales (in thousands):

Retail:

2014

2013

Amount

Percent

Increase (Decrease)

Residential............................................................
Commercial and industrial, small.........................
Commercial and industrial, large .........................
Sales to public authorities ....................................
Total retail sales..........................................

2,640,535
2,357,846
1,064,475
1,562,784
7,625,640

2,679,262
2,349,148
1,095,379
1,622,607
7,746,396

Wholesale:

Sales for resale .....................................................
Off-system sales ...................................................
Total wholesale sales ..................................
Total kWh sales ...................................

61,729
2,609,769
2,671,498
10,297,138

61,232
2,472,622
2,533,854
10,280,250

Operating revenues (in thousands):
Non-fuel base revenues:

Retail:

Residential .................................................. $
Commercial and industrial, small ...............
Commercial and industrial, large................
Sales to public authorities...........................
Total retail non-fuel base revenues......

Wholesale:

Sales for resale............................................
Total non-fuel base revenues...............

Fuel revenues:

Recovered from customers during the period ......
Under collection of fuel (1) ..................................
New Mexico fuel in base rates .............................
Total fuel revenues (2).........................

Off-system sales:

Fuel cost ...............................................................
Shared margins .....................................................
Retained margins..................................................
Total off-system sales..........................

$

234,371
185,388
39,239
92,066
551,064

2,277
553,341

161,052
3,110
71,614
235,776

74,716
21,117
2,147
97,980

$

236,651
184,568
40,235
95,044
556,498

2,172
558,670

133,481
10,849
73,295
217,625

68,241
13,016
1,549
82,806

Other (3) (4).................................................................

Total operating revenues...................... $

30,428
917,525

$

31,261
890,362

$

Average number of retail customers (5):

Residential ...................................................................
Commercial and industrial, small................................
Commercial and industrial, large.................................
Sales to public authorities............................................
Total.....................................................

352,277
39,600
49
5,088
397,014

347,891
38,836
50
4,997
391,774

(38,727)
8,698
(30,904)
(59,823)
(120,756)

497
137,147
137,644
16,888

(2,280)
820
(996)
(2,978)
(5,434)

105
(5,329)

27,571
(7,739)
(1,681)
18,151

6,475
8,101
598
15,174

(833)
27,163

4,386
764
(1)
91
5,240

(1.4)%
0.4
(2.8)
(3.7)
(1.6)

0.8
5.5
5.4
0.2

(1.0)%
0.4
(2.5)
(3.1)
(1.0)

4.8
(1.0)

20.7
(71.3)
(2.3)
8.3

9.5
62.2
38.6
18.3

(2.7)
3.1

1.3 %
2.0
(2.0)
1.8
1.3

 ___________________________
(1) 
(2) 
(3) 
(4) 
(5) 

2014 includes a DOE refund related to spent fuel storage of $8.3 million offset in part by $2.2 million related to Palo Verde performance rewards, net.
Includes deregulated Palo Verde Unit 3 revenues for the New Mexico jurisdiction of $15.0 million and $11.4 million in 2014 and 2013, respectively. 
Includes an Energy Efficiency Bonus of $2.0 million and $0.5 million in 2014 and 2013, respectively. 
Represents revenues with no related kWh sales. 
The number of retail customers presented is based on the number of service locations. 

32

Years Ended December 31:
kWh sales (in thousands):

Retail:

2013

2012

Amount

Percent

Increase (Decrease)

Residential ...........................................................
Commercial and industrial, small........................
Commercial and industrial, large.........................
Sales to public authorities....................................
Total retail sales .........................................

2,679,262
2,349,148
1,095,379
1,622,607
7,746,396

2,648,348
2,366,541
1,082,973
1,617,606
7,715,468

Wholesale:

Sales for resale.....................................................
Off-system sales ..................................................
Total wholesale sales..................................
Total kWh sales...................................

61,232
2,472,622
2,533,854
10,280,250

64,266
2,614,132
2,678,398
10,393,866

Operating revenues (in thousands):
Non-fuel base revenues:

Retail:

Residential.................................................. $
Commercial and industrial, small ..............
Commercial and industrial, large...............
Sales to public authorities ..........................
Total retail non-fuel base revenues.....

Wholesale:

Sales for resale ...........................................
Total non-fuel base revenues ..............

Fuel revenues:

Recovered from customers during the period (1)
Under (over) collection of fuel ............................
New Mexico fuel in base rates ............................
Total fuel revenues (2)........................

Off-system sales:

Fuel cost...............................................................
Shared margins ....................................................
Retained margins .................................................
Total off-system sales .........................

$

236,651
184,568
40,235
95,044
556,498

2,172
558,670

133,481
10,849
73,295
217,625

68,241
13,016
1,549
82,806

$

234,095
188,014
42,041
96,132
560,282

2,318
562,600

130,193
(18,539)
74,154
185,808

62,481
9,191
1,098
72,770

Other (3)......................................................................

Total operating revenues..................... $

31,261
890,362

$

31,703
852,881

$

Average number of retail customers (4):

Residential ..................................................................
Commercial and industrial, small ...............................
Commercial and industrial, large................................
Sales to public authorities...........................................
Total....................................................

347,891
38,836
50
4,997
391,774

343,409
38,601
50
4,828
386,888

30,914
(17,393)
12,406
5,001
30,928

(3,034)
(141,510)
(144,544)
(113,616)

2,556
(3,446)
(1,806)
(1,088)
(3,784)

(146)
(3,930)

3,288
29,388
(859)
31,817

5,760
3,825
451
10,036

(442)
37,481

4,482
235
—
169
4,886

1.2%
(0.7)
1.1
0.3
0.4

(4.7)
(5.4)
(5.4)
(1.1)

1.1%
(1.8)
(4.3)
(1.1)
(0.7)

(6.3)
(0.7)

2.5
—
(1.2)
17.1

9.2
41.6
41.1
13.8

(1.4)
4.4

1.3%
0.6
—
3.5
1.3

 _______________________
(1) 
(2) 
(3) 
(4) 

Excludes $6.9 million of refunds in 2012 related to prior periods' Texas deferred fuel revenues.
Includes deregulated Palo Verde Unit 3 revenues for the New Mexico jurisdiction of $11.4 million and $9.8 million in 2013 and 2012, respectively.
Represents revenues with no related kWh sales. 
The number of retail customers presented is based on the number of service locations. 

33

Energy expenses

Our sources of energy include electricity generated from our nuclear, natural gas and coal generating plants and purchased 
power.  Palo Verde represents approximately 34% of our available net generating capacity and approximately 54% of our Company-
generated energy for the twelve months ended December 31, 2014. Fluctuations in the price of natural gas, which also is the 
primary factor influencing the price of purchased power, have had a significant impact on our cost of energy.

Energy  expenses  increased  $26.7  million  or  9.2%  for  the  twelve  months  ended  December 31,  2014  compared  to  2013, 
primarily due to an increase of $32.7 million in natural gas costs due to a 17.1% increase in the average costs of gas and a 2.4% 
increase in MWhs generated with natural gas, and increased total purchased power of $2.4 million due to a 17.5% increase in the 
average price of power purchased partially offset by a 10.2% decrease in MWhs purchased.  Photovoltaic purchased power costs 
per MWh decreased for the twelve months ended December 31, 2014, when compared to the same period in 2013 primarily due 
to the lower priced purchases from Macho Springs solar photovoltaic project which began commercial operation in May 2014. 
The increase in energy expense was partially offset by a decrease in nuclear fuel expense related to an $8.5 million settlement 
with the DOE for reimbursement of spent fuel storage and management costs recorded in 2014. 

Energy expenses increased $37.8 million or 15.0% for the twelve months ended December 31, 2013 compared to 2012, 
primarily due to an increase of $36.3 million in natural gas costs due to a 24% increase in the average costs of gas and a 3.5% 
increase in the MWhs generated with natural gas, and increased total purchased power of $2.1 million resulting from an 18.3% 
increase in the average price of power purchased partially offset by a 12.5% decrease in MWh purchased.

The table below details the sources and costs of energy for 2014, 2013 and 2012. 

Fuel Type

Cost

Natural Gas ................... $
Coal...............................
Nuclear..........................
Total.......................

(in thousands)
196,833
12,883
41,289 (a)
251,005

Purchase Power:

Photovoltaic...........
Other ......................
Total purchased power..

Total energy........... $

19,575
45,229
64,804
315,809

2014

MWh

Cost per
MWh

$

3,774,209
596,252
5,106,668
9,477,129

227,979
1,162,511
1,390,490
10,867,619

52.15
21.61
9.76
27.39

85.86
39.80
47.35
29.94

Cost

(in thousands)
164,139
$
13,680
48,949
226,768

13,863
48,500
62,363
289,131

$

2013

MWh

Cost per
MWh

$

3,686,823
635,717
4,966,233
9,288,773

120,926
1,427,004
1,547,930
10,836,703

44.52
21.52
9.86
24.41

114.64
33.99
40.29
26.68

Fuel Type

Cost

Natural Gas ................... $
Coal...............................
Nuclear..........................
Total.......................

(in thousands)
127,833
13,604
49,639
191,076

Purchase Power:

Photovoltaic...........
Other ......................
Total purchased power..

Total energy........... $

11,776
48,475
60,251
251,327

2012

MWh

Cost per
MWh

$

3,561,253
655,108
5,045,772
9,262,133

103,189
1,665,621
1,768,810
11,030,943

35.90
20.77
9.84
20.63

114.12
29.10
34.06
22.78

 _____________________
(a) Costs includes a DOE settlement of $8.5 million recorded in 2014.  Cost per MWh excludes this settlement.

34

Other operations expense

Other operations expense increased $1.7 million or 0.7% in 2014 compared to 2013 primarily due to a $5.6 million increase 
in other operations payroll costs including a $2.7 million increase in incentive compensation, a $1.5 million increase in customer 
care expenses including an increase in uncollectible customer accounts, and a $1.5 million increase in Palo Verde operations 
expense.  These increases were partially offset by $5.5 million decrease in employee pensions and benefits primarily due to changes 
in  actuarial  assumptions  used  to  calculate  expenses  for  our  employee  pension  and  post-retirement  benefit  plans  and  plan 
modifications.

Other operations expense increased $0.6 million or 0.3% in 2013 compared to 2012 primarily due to increased administrative 
and general expense of $2.9 million due to increased outside services of $3.8 million related to software systems support and 
improvements and consulting and legal services related to the analysis of our future involvement at the Four Corners Generating 
Station. These increases were partially offset by decreased customer care expenses of $1.7 million primarily related to a decrease 
in  our  provision  for  uncollectible  customer  accounts  reflecting  improved  collection  efforts  and  decreased  power  production 
operation expense at Palo Verde of $1.4 million.

Maintenance expense

Maintenance expenses increased $4.6 million or 7.5% in 2014 compared to 2013 due to an increase in maintenance expense 
at Four Corners and Newman generating plants and increased payroll expense. Maintenance expenses increased $0.7 million or 
1.2% in 2013 compared to 2012 due to an increase in maintenance expense for our distribution system. 

Depreciation and amortization expense

Depreciation  and  amortization  expense  increased  $3.7  million  or  4.7%  in  2014  compared  to  2013,  due  to  increases  in 
depreciable plant balances primarily in our transmission and distribution plant and our local generating plant, including Rio Grande 
Unit 9 which began commercial operation on May 13, 2013.  Depreciation and amortization expense increased $1.1 million or 
1.4% in 2013 compared to 2012 expense due to an increase in depreciable plant including Rio Grande Unit 9.  The 2013 increase 
was partially offset by decreased depreciation expense due to reduced depreciation rates on gas-fired generating units and on 
transmission and distribution plant as a result of the Texas rate case settlement in May 2012.

Taxes other than income taxes

Taxes other than income taxes increased $5.0 million or 8.7% in 2014 compared to 2013, primarily due to higher property 
tax values and assessment rates and increases in revenue related taxes.  Additionally, in the first quarter of 2014, the Arizona tax 
district in which Palo Verde operates adjusted its 2013 property tax rate, resulting in an additional charge of $1.3 million.  Taxes 
other than income taxes increased $0.3 million or 0.5% in 2013 compared to 2012, primarily due to increased property taxes which 
were partially offset by a reduction in revenue related taxes.

Other income (deductions)

Other income (deductions) increased $13.9 million in 2014 compared to 2013, primarily as a result of: (i) increased investment 
and interest income due to increased net realized gains on equity investments in our decommissioning trusts; (ii) increased allowance 
for equity funds used during construction ("AEFUDC") due to higher balances of construction work in progress including the 
Montana Power Station and Eastside Operations Center; and (iii) an increase in miscellaneous other income due to a gain recognized 
on sale of assets in 2014 with a reduced level of activity in 2013.

Other income (deductions) increased $0.2 million or 1.5% in 2013 compared to 2012, primarily as a result of increased 
investment and interest income, due to realized gains on equity investments in our decommissioning trusts in 2013 compared to 
net unrealized and realized losses on equity investments in our decommissioning trusts in 2012 and increased AEFUDC due to 
higher balances of construction work in progress in 2013.  This increase was partially offset by increased miscellaneous deductions 
in 2013 due to the timing and amount of charitable donations and gains recognized on the sale of properties, plants and equipments 
in 2012 with no comparable amounts in 2013.

Interest charges (credits)

Interest charges (credits) decreased $0.9 million or 1.9% in 2014 compared to 2013, primarily due to increased allowance 
for borrowed funds used during construction, ("ABFUDC") as a result of higher balances of construction work in progress in 2014 
partially offset by an increase in interest on short-term borrowings for working capital purposes and interest expense on the $150 
million of 5.00% Senior Notes due 2044 issued in December 2014.  

35

Interest charges (credits) increased $2.8 million or 6.2% in 2013 compared to 2012 primarily due to interest on $150 million 
of 3.3% Senior Notes issued in December 2012 partially offset by (i) a decrease in interest on short-term borrowings for working 
capital purposes; (ii) the refunding and remarketing of two series of pollution control bonds at lower rates in August 2012; and 
(iii) increased  ABFUDC as a result of higher balances of construction work in progress in 2013.  

Income tax expense

Income tax expense decreased by $2.6 million or 5.9% in 2014 compared to 2013 primarily due to (i) an increase in the 
AEFUDC, (ii) an increase in capital gains on equity investments in our decommissioning trusts which are taxed at a lower rate, 
and (iii) an increase in tax credits earned.  These decreases were partially offset by an increase in state income taxes. Income tax 
expense decreased by $3.3 million or 7.1% in 2013 compared to 2012 primarily due to a decrease in pre-tax income and a decrease 
in state income taxes due to positive developments in state income tax audits and settlements. 

New accounting standards

In July 2013, the FASB issued new guidance (ASU 2013-11, Income Taxes (Topic 740)) to eliminate the diversity in the 
financial statement presentation of an unrecognized tax benefit when a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax 
credit carryforward exists. ASU 2013-11 requires an entity to present an unrecognized tax benefit in the financial statements as a 
reduction to a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward, except in 
certain circumstances when it would be reflected as a liability. We implemented ASU 2013-11 in the first quarter of 2014 on a 
prospective basis. This ASU did not have a significant impact on our statement of operations or statements of cash flows.

In May 2014, the FASB issued new guidance (ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)) to 
provide a framework that replaces the existing revenue recognition guidance. ASU 2014-09 is the result of a joint effort by the 
FASB and the International Accounting Standards Board ("IASB") intended to clarify the principles for recognizing revenue and 
to develop a common revenue standard for U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles ("GAAP") and International Financial 
Reporting Standards. ASU 2014-09 provides that an entity should recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be 
entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers. ASU 2014-09 is effective for annual periods and interim 
periods within that reporting period beginning after December 15, 2016, for public business entities. Early adoption of ASU 
2014-09 is not permitted. We are currently assessing the future impact of this ASU.

Inflation

For the last several years, inflation has been relatively low and, therefore, has had little impact on our results of operations 

and financial condition.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

In December 2014, we issued $150 million in aggregate principal amount of 5.00% Senior Notes due December 1, 2044 to 
fund construction expenditures and to repay the outstanding balance of our revolving credit facility ("RCF") used for working 
capital and general corporate purposes.  We continue to maintain a strong balance of common stock equity in our capital structure 
which supports our bond ratings, allowing us to obtain financing from the capital markets at a reasonable cost.  At December 31, 
2014,  our  capital  structure,  including  common  stock,  long-term  debt,  current  maturities  of  long-term  debt,  and  short-term 
borrowings under the RCF, consisted of 45.8% common stock equity and 54.2% debt.  At December 31, 2014, we had on hand 
$40.5 million in cash and cash equivalents.  Based on current projections, we believe that we will have adequate liquidity through 
our current cash balances, cash from operations, and available borrowings under the RCF to meet all of our anticipated cash 
requirements for the next twelve months.  We may issue long-term debt in the capital markets to finance future capital requirements 
in late 2015 or early 2016.

Our principal liquidity requirements in the near-term are expected to consist of capital expenditures to expand and support 
electric service obligations, expenditures for nuclear fuel inventory, interest payments on our indebtedness, cash dividend payments, 
operating expenses including fuel costs, maintenance costs, taxes, and payment of our $15 million Series A 3.67% Senior Note 
which matures in August 2015. 

Capital Requirements. During the twelve months ended December 31, 2014, our capital requirements primarily consisted 
of expenditures for the construction and purchase of electric utility plant, cash dividend payments, and purchases of nuclear fuel. 
Projected utility construction expenditures are to expand and update our transmission and distribution systems, add new generation, 
and make capital improvements and replacements at Palo Verde and other generating facilities.  We are constructing Montana 
Power Station ("MPS") which will consist of  four natural gas-fired 88 MW simple-cycle aeroderivative combustion turbines. 
Units 1 and 2 are expected to reach commercial operation during the first quarter of 2015.  Units 3 and 4 are projected to be 

36

completed before the summer peak of 2016 and 2017, respectively.  As of December 31, 2014, we had expended $234.7 million, 
of which $123.7 million was spent during 2014 for MPS including costs related to common facilities and transmission systems. 
These amounts include AFUDC. Estimated cash construction expenditures for the MPS in 2015 are approximately $100.9 million 
and estimated construction expenditures for all capital projects for 2015 are approximately $271.0 million.  See Part I, Item 1, 
"Business - Construction Program". Cash capital expenditures for new electric plant were $277.1 million in the twelve months 
ended December 31, 2014 and $237.4 million in the twelve months ended December 31, 2013.  Capital requirements for purchases 
of nuclear fuel were $37.9 million for the twelve months ended December 31, 2014 and $30.5 million for the twelve months ended 
December 31, 2013.

On December 30, 2014, we paid a quarterly cash dividend of $0.28 per share or $11.3 million to shareholders of record on 
December 12, 2014.  We paid a total of $44.6 million in cash dividends during the twelve months ended December 31, 2014.  On 
January 29, 2015, our Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.28 per share payable on March 31, 2015 to 
shareholders of record on March 16, 2015 which will require cash of $11.3 million.  We expect to continue paying quarterly 
dividends during 2015 and we expect to review the dividend policy in the second quarter of 2015. At the current payout rate, we 
would expect to pay total cash dividends of approximately $45.2 million during 2015. In addition, while we do not currently 
anticipate repurchasing shares in 2015, we may repurchase common stock in the future. Under our program, purchases can be 
made at open market prices or in private transactions, and repurchased shares are available for issuance under employee benefit 
and stock incentive plans, or may be retired. No shares of common stock were repurchased in 2014 or 2013. As of December 31, 
2014, 393,816 shares remain eligible for repurchase. 

We will continue to maintain a prudent level of liquidity as well as take market conditions for debt and equity securities into 
account.  We primarily utilize the distribution of dividends to maintain a balanced capital structure and supplement this effort with 
share repurchases when appropriate.  Our liquidity needs can fluctuate quickly based on fuel prices and other factors and we are 
continuing to make investments in new electric plant and other assets in order to reliably serve our customers.  In light of these 
factors, we expect it will be a number of years before we achieve a dividend payout equivalent to industry average.  

Our cash requirements for federal and state income taxes vary from year to year based on taxable income, which is influenced 
by the timing of revenues and expenses recognized for income tax purposes. Income tax payments in 2015 are expected to be 
minimal due to tax law changes which accelerated tax deductions and alternative minimum tax credit carry-forwards.

We continually evaluate our funding requirements related to our retirement plans, other post-retirement benefit plans, and 
decommissioning trust funds. We contributed $10.9 million and $16.9 million to our retirement plans during the twelve months 
ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.  We did not make any contributions to our other post-retirement benefit plans 
during the twelve months ended December 31, 2014, as we utilized excess contributions from the $3.1 million contributed during 
the twelve months ended December 31, 2013. We contributed $4.5 million to our decommissioning trust funds in both 2014 and 
2013. We are in compliance with the funding requirements of the federal government for our benefit plans.  In addition, with 
respect to our nuclear plant decommissioning trust, we are in compliance with the funding requirements of the federal law and 
the Arizona Nuclear Power Project Participation Agreement. We will continue to review our funding for these plans in order to 
meet our future obligations.

In 2010, the Company and RGRT, a Texas grantor trust through which we finance our portion of fuel for Palo Verde, entered 
into a note purchase agreement with various institutional purchasers.  Under the terms of the agreement, RGRT sold to the purchasers 
$110 million aggregate principal amount of senior notes.  In August 2015, $15 million of these senior notes will mature.

Capital Resources.  Cash provided by operations, $243.3 million in 2014 and $247.5 million in 2013, is a significant source 
for funding capital requirements.  Cash from operations has been impacted by the timing of the recovery of fuel costs through fuel 
recovery mechanisms in Texas and New Mexico and our sales for resale customer. We recover actual fuel costs from customers 
through fuel adjustment mechanisms in Texas, New Mexico, and from our sales for resale customer. We record deferred fuel 
revenues for the under-recovery or over-recovery of fuel costs until they can be recovered from or refunded to customers. In Texas, 
fuel costs are recovered through a fixed fuel factor. We can seek to revise our fixed fuel factor at least four months after our last 
revision except in the month of December based upon our approved formula which allows us to adjust fuel rates to reflect changes 
in costs of natural gas. We are required to request to refund fuel costs in any month when the over-recovery balance exceeds a 
threshold material amount and we expect fuel costs to continue to be materially over-recovered.  We are permitted to seek to 
surcharge fuel under-recoveries in any month the balance exceeds a threshold material amount that we expect fuel cost recovery 
to continue to be materially under-recovered.  Fuel over and under-recoveries are considered material when they exceed 4% of 
the previous twelve months' fuel costs.  On May 1, 2014, we increased our fixed fuel factor charged to our Texas retail customers 
by 6.9% to reflect the increased level of prices for natural gas that existed at the time. 

The Company expects 2015 earnings to be adversely impacted by the regulatory lag resulting from the commercialization 
of Units 1and 2 of the Montana Power Station, the related transmission system and the Eastside Operations Center expected to be 

37

placed in service during the first quarter of 2015. We expect to incur aggregate construction costs of approximately $260.6 million 
in construction of these facilities.  With the introduction of these facilities into service, we will begin to incur increased expenses 
related to depreciation, property taxes, operations and maintenance. Furthermore, we will cease recognizing AFUDC on such 
facilities. Base rate increases to seek recovery of these costs are expected to be filed in the second and third quarter of 2015 for 
our New Mexico and Texas jurisdictions, respectively, with new rates expected to be effective in or about March 2016 for both 
jurisdictions. 

During the twelve months ended December 31, 2014, net fuel recoveries resulted in increased cash from operations when 
compared to the same period in 2013.  During the twelve months ended December 31, 2014, the Company had a fuel under-
recovery of  $3.1 million compared to an under-recovery of fuel costs of $10.8 million during the twelve months ended December 
31, 2013.  At December 31, 2014, we had a net fuel under-recovery balance of $9.3 million, including an under-recovery balance 
of $10.3 million for our Texas and FERC jurisdictions and an over-recovery balance of $0.9 million in New Mexico. 

In December 2014, we issued $150 million in aggregate principal amount of 5.00% Senior Notes due December 1, 2044. 
The gross proceeds from the issuance of the senior notes were $149.5 million, net of a $0.5 million discount before commissions 
and expenses and the effective interest rate was 5.10%.  The net proceeds from the sale of these senior notes were used to fund 
construction expenditures and to repay the outstanding balance of our revolving credit facility ("RCF") used for working capital 
and general corporate purposes.

We maintain an RCF for working capital and general corporate purposes and the financing of nuclear fuel through the RGRT. 
The RGRT is the trust through which we finance our portion of nuclear fuel for Palo Verde and is consolidated in the Company's 
financial statements. On January 14, 2014, we amended and extended our $300 million RCF, which includes an option to expand 
the size to $400 million, upon the satisfaction of certain conditions including obtaining commitments from lenders or third party 
financial institutions.  The amended facility extends the maturity from September 2016 to January 2019.  In addition, we may 
extend the January 2019 maturity, subject to lenders' approval, by two additional one year periods. The terms of the agreement 
provide that amounts we borrow under the RCF may be used for working capital and general corporate purposes.  The total amount 
borrowed for nuclear fuel by the RGRT was $124.5 million at December 31, 2014, of which $14.5 million had been borrowed 
under the RCF and $110 million was borrowed through senior notes.  Borrowings by RGRT for nuclear fuel were $124.4 million 
at December 31, 2013, of which $14.4 million had been borrowed under the RCF and $110 million was borrowed through senior 
notes.  Interest costs on borrowings to finance nuclear fuel are accumulated by the RGRT and charged to us as fuel is consumed 
and recovered from customers through fuel recovery charges.  No borrowings were outstanding at December 31, 2014 or December 
31, 2013, under the RCF for working capital and general corporate purposes.

We believe we have adequate liquidity through our current cash balances, cash from operations, available borrowings under 
the RCF, and our favorable access to capital markets to meet all of our anticipated cash requirements for the next twelve months. 
In the fourth quarter of 2013, we received approval from the NMPRC and the FERC to incrementally issue up to $300 million of 
long-term debt and to guarantee the issuance of up to $50 million of new long-term debt by RGRT to finance future purchases of 
nuclear fuel and to refinance existing nuclear fuel debt obligations. The FERC approval was effective on November 15, 2013 and 
terminates two years thereafter. The NMPRC approval was effective on October 30, 2013 and remains in effect until the debt is 
issued.  The  $150  million  of  5.00%  Senior  Notes  issued  in  December  2014  were  issued  pursuant  to  these  approvals.    The 
authorizations to issue up to an additional $150 million of long-term debt and up to $50 million of new long-term debt by RGRT 
provides us with the flexibility to access the debt capital markets prior to the termination of the FERC approval on November 15, 
2015. Additionally, we could request approval from the FERC to issue additional debt after November 15, 2015. We may decide 
to issue long-term debt in the capital markets to finance capital requirements in late 2015 or early 2016.

38

Contractual Obligations. Our contractual obligations as of December 31, 2014 are as follows (in thousands):

Payments due by period

Total

2015

2016 and
2017

2018 and
2019

2020 and
Beyond

Long-Term Debt (including interest):

Senior notes (1)........................................... $ 1,870,975
Pollution control bonds (2) .........................
455,420

RGRT Senior notes (3) ...............................

130,864

$

47,700

$

95,400

$

95,400

$ 1,632,475

10,583

20,054

54,259

59,006

19,918

4,536

370,660

47,268

Financing Obligations (including interest):

Revolving credit facility (4)........................

14,720

14,720

Purchase Obligations:

Power contracts...........................................

2,563

2,563

Fuel contracts:

Coal (5)................................................

Gas (5) .................................................

Nuclear fuel (6)....................................

Retirement Plans and Other Post-retirement
benefits (7) .........................................................

Nuclear decommissioning trust funds (8) ..........

17,757

358,534

82,330

11,319

148,101

Operating leases (9) ...........................................

11,640
Total ........................................... $ 3,104,223

 _____________________
(1) 

11,172

44,835

22,873

11,319

4,535

1,386

—

—

6,585

77,243

28,123

—

9,071

1,460

—

—

—

62,644

21,857

—

9,071

1,028

—

—

—

173,812

9,477

—

125,424

7,766

$

191,740

$

331,147

$

214,454

$ 2,366,882

We have four issuances of Senior Notes. In May 2005, we issued $400.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 6% 
Senior Notes due May 15, 2035. In June 2008, we issued $150.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 7.5% Senior 
Notes due March 15, 2038. In December 2012, we issued $150.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 3.3% Senior 
Notes due December 15, 2022. In December 2014, we issued $150.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 5.00% 
Senior Notes due December 1, 2044.
We have four series of pollution control bonds which are scheduled for remarketing and/or mandatory tender, one in 
2017, two in 2040, and one in 2042.
In 2010, the Company and RGRT entered into a Note Purchase Agreement for $110 million aggregate principal amount 
of senior notes consisting of: (a) $15 million aggregate principal amount of 3.67% RGRT Senior Notes, Series A, due 
August 15, 2015; (b) $50 million aggregate principal amount of 4.47% RGRT Senior Notes, Series B, due August 15, 
2017; and (c) $45 million aggregate principal amount of 5.04% RGRT Senior Notes, Series C, due August 15, 2020.
This reflects obligations outstanding under the $300 million RCF.  At December 31, 2014, $14.5 million was borrowed 
by RGRT for nuclear fuel. This balance includes interest based on actual interest rates at the end of 2014 and assumes 
this amount will be outstanding for the entire year of 2015.
Amount is based on the minimum volumes per the contract and market and/or contract price at the end of 2014. Gas 
obligation includes a gas storage contract and a gas transportation contract. 
Some of the nuclear fuel contracts are based on a fixed price, adjusted for a market index. The index used here is the 
index at the end of 2014.
This obligation is based on our expected contributions and includes our minimum contractual funding requirements for 
the non-qualified retirement income plan and the other post-retirement benefits for 2015. We have no minimum cash 
contractual funding requirement related to our retirement income plan or other post-retirement benefits for 2015.  However, 
we may decide to fund at higher levels and expect to contribute $11.3 million  to our retirement plans in 2015, as disclosed 
in Part II, Item 8, "Notes to Financial Statements, Note M, Employee Benefits". Minimum funding requirements for 2015 
and beyond are not included due to the uncertainty of interest rates and the related return on assets.
These obligations represent funding amounts approved in PUCT Docket No. 40094 and NMPRC Case No. 09-00171-
UT.
We lease land in El Paso adjacent to the Newman Power Station under a lease which expires in June 2033 with a renewal 
option of 25 years. In addition, we lease certain warehouse facilities in El Paso under a lease which expires in December 
2015. We also have several other leases for office, parking facilities and equipment which expire within the next three 
years.

(2) 

(3) 

(4) 

(5) 

(6) 

(7) 

(8) 

(9) 

39

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We have no off-balance sheet arrangements that have or are reasonably likely to have a current or future effect on our 
financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or 
capital resources.

40

Item 7A. 

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

The following discussion regarding our market-risk sensitive instruments contains forward-looking information involving 
risks and uncertainties. The statements regarding potential gains and losses are only estimates of what could occur in the future. 
Actual future results may differ materially from those estimates presented due to the characteristics of the risks and uncertainties 
involved.

We are exposed to market risk due to changes in interest rates, equity prices and commodity prices. Substantially all financial 

instruments and positions we hold are for purposes other than trading and are described below.

Interest Rate Risk

Our long-term debt obligations are all fixed-rate obligations, except for the RCF, which is based on floating rates.

To the extent the RCF is utilized for nuclear fuel purchases, interest rate risk, if any, related to the RCF is substantially 
mitigated through the operation of the PUCT and the NMPRC rules which establish energy cost recovery clauses. Under these 
rules, actual energy costs, including interest expense on nuclear fuel financing, are recovered from our customers.

Our decommissioning trust funds consist of equity securities and fixed income instruments and are carried at fair value. We 
face interest rate risk on the fixed income instruments, which consist primarily of municipal, federal and corporate bonds and 
which were valued at $104.7 million and $85.3 million as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.  A hypothetical 10% 
increase in interest rates would reduce the fair values of these funds by $1.2 million on their fair values at both December 31, 2014 
and 2013.

Equity Price Risk

Our decommissioning trust funds include marketable equity securities of approximately $123.4 million and $122.9 million 
at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.  A hypothetical 20% decrease in equity prices would reduce the fair values of these 
funds by $24.7 million and $24.6 million based on their fair values at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Declines in 
market prices could require that additional amounts be contributed to our nuclear decommissioning trusts to maintain minimum 
funding requirements. We will not have a requirement to expend monies held in trust before 2044 or a later period when we begin 
to decommission Palo Verde.

Commodity Price Risk

We utilize contracts of various durations for the purchase of natural gas, uranium concentrates and coal to effectively manage 
our available fuel portfolio. These agreements contain variable pricing provisions and are settled by physical delivery. The fuel 
contracts  with  variable  pricing  provisions,  as  well  as  substantially  all  of  our  purchased  power  requirements,  are  exposed  to 
fluctuations in prices due to unpredictable factors, including weather and various other worldwide events, which impact supply 
and demand. However, our exposure to fuel and purchased power price risk is substantially mitigated through the operation of the 
PUCT and NMPRC rules and our fuel clauses, as discussed previously.

In the normal course of business, we enter into contracts of various durations for the forward sales and purchases of electricity 
to effectively manage our available generating capacity and supply needs. Such contracts include forward contracts for the sale 
of generating capacity and energy during periods when our available power resources are expected to exceed the requirements of 
our retail native load and sales for resale. We also enter into forward contracts for the purchase of wholesale capacity and energy 
during periods when the market price of electricity is below our expected incremental power production costs or to supplement 
our generating capacity when demand is anticipated to exceed such capacity. As of January 31, 2015, we had entered into forward 
sales and purchase contracts for energy as discussed in Part I, Item 1, "Business – Energy Sources – Purchased Power." These 
agreements are generally fixed-priced contracts which qualify for the "normal purchases and normal sales" exception provided in 
FASB guidance for accounting for derivative instruments and hedging activities and are not recorded at their fair value in our 
financial statements. Because of the operation of the PUCT and the NMPRC rules and our fuel clauses, these contracts do not 
expose us to significant commodity price risk.

41

Management Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

The  Company’s  management  is  responsible  for  establishing  and  maintaining  adequate  internal  control  over  financial 
reporting. Internal control over financial reporting is defined in Rule 13a-15(f) or 15d-15(f) promulgated under the Securities 
Exchange Act of 1934 as a process designed by, or under the supervision of, the Company’s principal executive and principal 
financial officers and affected by the Company’s board of directors, management and other personnel, to provide reasonable 
assurance  regarding  the  reliability  of  financial  reporting  and  the  preparation  of  financial  statements  for  external  purposes  in 
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and includes those policies and procedures that:

•

•

•

Pertain to the maintenance of records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions
of the assets of the Company;

Provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and the receipts and expenditures of the Company are being
made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the Company; and

Provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of
the Company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because  of  its  inherent  limitations,  internal  control  over  financial  reporting  may  not  prevent  or  detect  misstatements. 
Projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because 
of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

The Company’s management assessed the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of 
December 31,  2014.  In  making  this  assessment,  the  Company’s  management  used  the  criteria  set  forth  by  the  Committee  of 
Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission's 2013 Internal Control - Integrated Framework. 

 Based on its assessment, management believes that, as of December 31, 2014, the Company’s internal control over financial 

reporting is effective based on those criteria.

The Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, KPMG LLP, has issued an audit report on the Company’s 

internal control over financial reporting. This report appears on page 44 of this report.

42

Item 8. 

Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm ...................................................................................................

Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2014 and 2013................................................................................................................

Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012...............................................................

Statements of Comprehensive Operations for the years ended December  31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 ...................................

Statements of Changes in Common Stock Equity for the years ended December  31, 2014, 2013 and 2012........................

Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 .............................................................

Notes to Financial Statements.................................................................................................................................................

Page

44

45

47

48

49

50

51

43

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

The Board of Directors and Shareholders
El Paso Electric Company:

We have audited the accompanying balance sheets of El Paso Electric Company as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, and the related 
statements of operations, comprehensive operations, changes in common stock equity, and cash flows for each of the years in the 
three-year period ended December 31, 2014. We also have audited El Paso Electric Company’s internal control over financial 
reporting as of December 31, 2014, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the 
Committee  of  Sponsoring  Organizations  of  the Treadway  Commission  (COSO).  El Paso  Electric  Company’s  management  is 
responsible for these financial statements, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment 
of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management Report on Internal 
Control Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and an opinion on the 
Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). 
Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements 
are free of material misstatement and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material 
respects. Our audits of the financial statements included examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures 
in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating 
the  overall  financial  statement  presentation.  Our  audit  of  internal  control  over  financial  reporting  included  obtaining  an 
understanding  of  internal  control  over  financial  reporting,  assessing  the  risk  that  a  material  weakness  exists,  and  testing  and 
evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audits also included performing 
such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for 
our opinions.

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability 
of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted 
accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain 
to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets 
of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial 
statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are 
being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable 
assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that 
could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because  of  its  inherent  limitations,  internal  control  over  financial  reporting  may  not  prevent  or  detect  misstatements. Also, 
projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because 
of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of El Paso 
Electric Company as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the years in 
the three-year period ended December 31, 2014, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Also in our 
opinion, El Paso Electric Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of 
December 31, 2014, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of 
Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.

/s/ KPMG LLP

Kansas City, Missouri
February 27, 2015

44

This page intentionally left blank 

EL PASO ELECTRIC COMPANY 
BALANCE SHEETS

Utility plant:

ASSETS
(In thousands)

December 31,

2014

2013

Electric plant in service ........................................................................................................... $ 3,229,255
(1,266,672)
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization....................................................................
1,962,583
Net plant in service...........................................................................................................
414,284
Construction work in progress.................................................................................................

$ 3,076,549
(1,214,088)
1,862,461
282,647

Nuclear fuel; includes fuel in process of $46,996 and $48,492, respectively .........................
Less accumulated amortization ...............................................................................................
Net nuclear fuel ................................................................................................................
Net utility plant .......................................................................................................

185,185
(73,701)
111,484

188,185
(75,820)
112,365

2,488,351

2,257,473

Current assets:

Cash and cash equivalents .......................................................................................................
Accounts receivable, principally trade, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $2,253
and $2,261, respectively ..........................................................................................................
Accumulated deferred income taxes .......................................................................................
Inventories, at cost...................................................................................................................
Under-collection of fuel revenues ...........................................................................................
Prepayments and other ............................................................................................................
Total current assets .................................................................................................

40,504

25,592

71,165

13,957

45,889

10,253

12,213

65,350

26,965

45,942

7,248

7,694

193,981

178,791

Deferred charges and other assets:

Decommissioning trust funds ..................................................................................................
Regulatory assets .....................................................................................................................
Other ........................................................................................................................................
Total deferred charges and other assets ..................................................................

376,969
Total assets...................................................................................................... $ 3,059,301

234,286

112,086

30,597

214,095

101,050

34,879

350,024

$ 2,786,288

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

45

EL PASO ELECTRIC COMPANY 
BALANCE SHEETS (Continued)

Capitalization:

CAPITALIZATION AND LIABILITIES
(In thousands except for share data)

Common stock, stated value $1 per share, 100,000,000 shares authorized, 65,725,246 and
65,639,091 shares issued, and 124,297 and 120,534 restricted shares, respectively .............. $
Capital in excess of stated value..............................................................................................
Retained earnings ....................................................................................................................
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax..................................................

Treasury stock, 25,492,919 shares at cost ...............................................................................
Common stock equity.......................................................................................................
Long-term debt, net of current portion ....................................................................................
Total capitalization..................................................................................................

Current liabilities:

Current maturities of long-term debt.......................................................................................
Short-term borrowings under the revolving credit facility......................................................
Accounts payable, principally trade ........................................................................................
Taxes accrued ..........................................................................................................................
Interest accrued........................................................................................................................
Over-collection of fuel revenues .............................................................................................
Other ........................................................................................................................................
Total current liabilities............................................................................................

Deferred credits and other liabilities:

Accumulated deferred income taxes .......................................................................................
Accrued pension liability.........................................................................................................
Accrued post-retirement benefit liability.................................................................................
Asset retirement obligation......................................................................................................
Regulatory liabilities ...............................................................................................................
Other ........................................................................................................................................
Total deferred credits and other liabilities ..............................................................

Commitments and contingencies

December 31,

2014

2013

$

65,850
318,515
1,032,537
(8,001)
1,408,901
(424,647)
984,254
1,134,179
2,118,433

65,760
314,443
985,665
2,612
1,368,480
(424,647)
943,833
999,620
1,943,453

15,000
14,532
78,862
28,210
12,758
932
24,715
175,009

474,154
94,272
59,342
74,577
26,099
37,415
765,859

—
14,352
61,795
25,206
12,189
1,048
22,932
137,522

449,925
84,012
50,655
65,214
26,416
29,091
705,313

Total capitalization and liabilities................................................................ $ 3,059,301

$ 2,786,288

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

46

EL PASO ELECTRIC COMPANY 
 STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(In thousands except for share data) 

Operating revenues ............................................................................................. $
Energy expenses:

Fuel ................................................................................................................

Purchased and interchanged power................................................................

Operating revenues net of energy expenses ......................................................
Other operating expenses:

Years Ended December 31,

2014

2013

2012

917,525

$

890,362

$

852,881

251,005

64,804

315,809

601,716

226,768

62,363

289,131

601,231

191,076

60,251

251,327

601,554

Other operations.............................................................................................

238,832

237,155

236,558

Maintenance...................................................................................................

Depreciation and amortization.......................................................................

Taxes other than income taxes.......................................................................

Operating income ................................................................................................
Other income (deductions):

Allowance for equity funds used during construction ...................................

Investment and interest income, net...............................................................

Miscellaneous non-operating income ............................................................

Miscellaneous non-operating deductions.......................................................

Interest charges (credits):

Interest on long-term debt and revolving credit facility ................................

Other interest..................................................................................................

Capitalized interest.........................................................................................

Allowance for borrowed funds used during construction..............................

Income before income taxes ...............................................................................
Income tax expense .............................................................................................

Net income ................................................................................... $

Basic earnings per share..................................................................................... $

Diluted earnings per share ................................................................................. $

Dividends declared per share of common stock ............................................... $
Weighted average number of shares outstanding ............................................
Weighted average number of shares and dilutive potential shares
outstanding ..........................................................................................................

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

65,629

83,342

62,750

450,553
151,163

14,662

13,633

4,075
(4,199)
28,171

59,028

1,250
(5,092)
(8,368)
46,818

132,516

41,088

91,428

2.27

2.27

1.105

$

$

$

$

61,068

79,626

57,747

435,596
165,635

10,008

7,033

909
(3,635)
14,315

58,635

431
(5,299)
(6,055)
47,712

132,238

43,655

88,583

2.20

2.20

1.045

$

$

$

$

60,339

78,556

57,443

432,896
168,658

9,427

5,275

1,415
(2,013)
14,104

54,632

1,190
(5,312)
(5,573)
44,937

137,825

46,979

90,846

2.27

2.26

0.97

40,190,991

40,114,594

39,974,022

40,211,717

40,126,647

40,055,581

47

EL PASO ELECTRIC COMPANY 
 STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE OPERATIONS
(In thousands)

Net income ................................................................................................................ $
Other comprehensive income (loss):

Unrecognized pension and post-retirement benefit costs:

Years Ended December 31,

2014

2013

2012

91,428

$

88,583

$

90,846

Net gain (loss) arising during period ...........................................................

Prior service benefit.....................................................................................

Reclassification adjustments included in net income for amortization of:

Prior service benefit ...........................................................................

Net loss...............................................................................................

Net unrealized gains/losses on marketable securities:

Net holding gains arising during period ......................................................

Reclassification adjustments for net (gains) losses included in net income

(54,328)
34,200

(7,659)
6,182

10,827
(7,350)

82,964

97

(5,560)
10,472

17,699
(553)

(2,109)
—

(5,762)
11,971

9,927

1,042

385

15,454

(1,464)
(2,438)
(131)
(4,033)
11,421

438
(17,690)

411

105,530

8,051
(760)
(214)
7,077
(10,613)
80,815

(33,566)
(3,100)
(168)
(36,834)
68,696

$

157,279

$

102,267

Net losses on cash flow hedges:

Reclassification adjustment for interest expense included in net income ...

Total other comprehensive income (loss) before income taxes..........................

Income tax benefit (expense) related to items of other comprehensive income
(loss):

Unrecognized pension and post-retirement benefit costs............................

Net unrealized gains on marketable securities ............................................

Losses on cash flow hedges.........................................................................

Total income tax benefit (expense).....................................................................
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax......................................................
Comprehensive income............................................................................................ $

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

48

EL PASO ELECTRIC COMPANY 
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN COMMON STOCK EQUITY
(In thousands except for share data)

Common Stock

Shares
65,452,073

Amount

$

65,452

Capital in
Excess of 
Stated Value
309,777
$

Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive 
Income (Loss), 
Net of Tax

Retained
Earnings

$

887,174

$

(77,505)

Treasury Stock

Shares
25,492,919

$

Amount

(424,647) $

Common 
Stock Equity
760,251

Balances at December 31, 2011...........................................

Restricted common stock grants and deferred

compensation .............................................................
Performance share awards vested ..................................
Stock awards withheld for taxes ....................................
Forfeited restricted common stock.................................
Deferred taxes on stock incentive plan ..........................
Stock options exercised..................................................
Net income .....................................................................
Other comprehensive income ........................................
Dividends declared.........................................................
Balances at December 31, 2012...........................................

Restricted common stock grants and deferred

compensation .............................................................
Performance share awards vested ..................................
Stock awards withheld for taxes ....................................
Forfeited restricted common stock.................................
Deferred taxes on stock incentive plan ..........................
Stock options exercised..................................................
Compensation paid in shares .........................................
Net income .....................................................................
Other comprehensive income ........................................
Dividends declared

87,428
174,038
(52,778)
(88,100)

32,336

87
174
(52)
(88)

32

1,691
1,019
(1,770)
(1,206)
1,101
382

65,604,997

65,605

310,994

96,279
64,275
(23,808)
(1,549)

15,000
4,431

96
64
(23)
(1)

15
4

2,702
785
(788)

427
177
146

90,846

(38,889)
939,131

88,583

(42,049)
985,665

11,421

(66,084)

25,492,919

(424,647)

68,696

2,612

25,492,919

(424,647)

Balances at December 31, 2013...........................................

65,759,625

65,760

314,443

Restricted common stock grants and deferred

compensation .............................................................
Stock awards withheld for taxes ....................................
Forfeited restricted common stock.................................
Deferred taxes on stock incentive plan ..........................
Compensation paid in shares .........................................
Net income .....................................................................
Other comprehensive income ........................................
Dividends declared.........................................................
Balances at December 31, 2014...........................................

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

103,672
(4,696)
(19,162)

10,104

104
(5)
(19)

10

4,175
(183)

(302)
382

65,849,543

$

65,850

$

318,515

91,428

(44,556)
$ 1,032,537

$

(10,613)

(8,001)

25,492,919

$

(424,647) $

49

1,778
1,193
(1,822)
(1,294)
1,101
414
90,846
11,421
(38,889)
824,999

2,798
849
(811)
(1)
427
192
150
88,583
68,696
(42,049)
943,833

4,279
(188)
(19)
(302)
392
91,428
(10,613)
(44,556)
984,254

EL PASO ELECTRIC COMPANY 
 STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In thousands)

Cash Flows From Operating Activities:

Net income ......................................................................................................................... $
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization of electric plant in service .........................................
Amortization of nuclear fuel ......................................................................................
Deferred income taxes, net ........................................................................................
Allowance for equity funds used during construction ...............................................
Other amortization and accretion ...............................................................................
Gain on sale of property, plant and equipment ..........................................................
Net (gains) losses on sale of decommissioning trust funds ........................................
Other operating activities ..........................................................................................

Change in:

Accounts receivable ...................................................................................................
Inventories .................................................................................................................
Net over-collection (under-collection) of fuel revenues ............................................
Prepayments and other ..............................................................................................
Accounts payable ......................................................................................................
Taxes accrued ............................................................................................................
Other current liabilities ..............................................................................................
Deferred charges and credits .....................................................................................
Net cash provided by operating activities ...................................................

Years Ended December 31,

2014

2013

2012

91,428

$

88,583

$

90,846

83,342
43,864
39,129
(14,662)

18,380
(2,092)
(7,350)
(93)

(5,815)
(786)
(3,121)
(2,750)
9,684
(2,209)
1,198
(4,807)
243,340

79,626
42,537
44,678
(10,008)

16,556
(112)
(553)
(260)

(2,450)
(3,673)
(10,843)
(4,295)
8,180
(627)
958
(822)
247,475

78,556
42,953
43,561
(9,427)

14,724
(1,346)
1,042
(175)

13,448
(1,926)
11,668
(2,784)
1,725
(3,054)
78
(6,781)
273,108

Cash Flows From Investing Activities:

Cash additions to utility property, plant and equipment .....................................................
Cash additions to nuclear fuel ............................................................................................
Capitalized interest and AFUDC:

Utility property, plant and equipment ........................................................................
Nuclear fuel ...............................................................................................................
Allowance for equity funds used during construction ...............................................

Decommissioning trust funds:

Purchases, including funding of $4.5 million ............................................................
Sales and maturities ...................................................................................................
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment ........................................................
Other investing activities ...................................................................................................
Net cash used for investing activities ..........................................................

(277,078)
(37,877)

(237,411)
(30,535)

(202,387)
(46,009)

(23,030)
(5,092)
14,662

(117,675)
108,311
2,395
4,192
(331,192)

(16,063)
(5,299)
10,008

(65,491)
56,148
112
5,767
(282,764)

(15,000)
(5,312)
9,427

(107,705)
98,542
1,757
633
(266,054)

Cash Flows From Financing Activities:

Dividends paid ...................................................................................................................
Borrowings under the revolving credit facility:

(44,556)

(42,049)

(38,889)

Proceeds ....................................................................................................................
Payments ...................................................................................................................

231,399
(231,219)

Pollution control bonds:

Proceeds ....................................................................................................................
Payments ...................................................................................................................
Proceeds from issuance of senior notes .............................................................................
Other financing activities ...................................................................................................
Net cash provided by (used for) financing activities ..................................
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents ............................................................
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period .................................................................

—
—
149,468
(2,328)
102,764

14,912

25,592

44,883
(52,686)

—
—
—
(324)
(50,176)

(85,465)

111,057

234,575
(245,799)

92,535
(92,535)
149,682
(3,774)
95,795

102,849

8,208

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period ........................................................................... $

40,504

$

25,592

$

111,057

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

50

INDEX TO NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Note A. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies ...........................................................................................................

Note B. New Accounting Standards .......................................................................................................................................

Note C. Regulation .................................................................................................................................................................

Note D. Regulatory Assets and Liabilities..............................................................................................................................

Note E. Utility Plant, Palo Verde and Other Jointly-Owned Utility Plant..............................................................................

Note F. Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations ...........................................................................................................

Note G. Common Stock..........................................................................................................................................................

Note H. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss.................................................................................................................

Note I. Long-Term Debt and Financing Obligations..............................................................................................................

Note J. Income Taxes..............................................................................................................................................................

Note K. Commitments, Contingencies and Uncertainties ......................................................................................................

Note L. Litigation ...................................................................................................................................................................

Note M. Employee Benefits ...................................................................................................................................................

Note N. Franchises and Significant Customers ......................................................................................................................

Note O. Financial Instruments and Investments.....................................................................................................................

Note P. Supplemental Statements of Cash Flow Disclosures .................................................................................................

Note Q. Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) ........................................................................................................

Page
52

55

55

58

59

63

64

69

71

73

76

79

80

91

93

98

99

51

EL PASO ELECTRIC COMPANY
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

A. 

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

General. El Paso Electric Company is a public utility engaged in the generation, transmission and distribution of electricity 
in  an  area  of  approximately  10,000  square  miles  in  west Texas  and  southern  New Mexico. The  Company  also  serves  a  full 
requirements wholesale customer in Texas.

Basis of Presentation. The Company maintains its accounts in accordance with the Uniform System of Accounts prescribed 

by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (the "FERC").

Use of Estimates. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires 
management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent 
assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting 
period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Application  of  FASB  Guidance  for  Regulated  Operations.  Regulated  electric  utilities  typically  prepare  their  financial 
statements in accordance with the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") guidance for regulated operations. FASB 
guidance for regulated operations requires the Company to include an allowance for equity and borrowed funds used during 
construction ("AEFUDC" and "ABFUDC") as a cost of construction of electric plant in service. AEFUDC is recognized as income 
and ABFUDC is shown as capitalized interest charges in the Company’s statement of operations. FASB guidance for regulated 
operations also requires the Company to show certain recoverable costs as either assets or liabilities on a utility’s balance sheet if 
the regulator provides assurance that these costs will be charged to and collected from the utility’s customers (or has already 
permitted such cost recovery) or will be credited or refunded to the utility’s customers. The resulting regulatory assets or liabilities 
are amortized in subsequent periods based upon the respective amortization periods reflected in a utility’s regulated rates. See 
Note D. The Company applies FASB guidance for regulated operations for all three of the jurisdictions in which it operates.

Comprehensive Income. Certain gains and losses that are not recognized currently in the statements of operations are reported 

as other comprehensive income in accordance with FASB guidance for reporting comprehensive income.

Utility Plant. Utility plant is generally reported at cost.  The cost of renewals and betterments are capitalized and the costs 
of repairs and minor replacements are charged to the appropriate operating expense accounts.  Depreciation is provided on a 
straight-line basis over the estimated remaining lives of the assets (ranging in average from 5 to 48 years).  The average composite 
depreciation rate utilized in 2014, 2013 and 2012 was 2.60%, 2.61%, and 2.64%, respectively. When property subject to composite 
depreciation is retired or otherwise disposed of in the normal course of business, its cost – together with the cost of removal, less 
salvage – is charged to accumulated depreciation.  For other property dispositions, the applicable cost and accumulated depreciation 
is removed from the balance sheet accounts and a gain or loss is recognized.

The cost of nuclear fuel is amortized to fuel expense on a units-of-production basis.  The Company is also amortizing its 
share of costs associated with on-site spent fuel storage casks at Palo Verde over the burn period of the fuel that will necessitate 
the use of the storage casks.  See Note E.

Impairment  of  Long-Lived  Assets.  Long-lived  assets  are  reviewed  for  impairment  whenever  events  or  changes  in 
circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable.  Recoverability of assets to be held and used 
is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to be 
generated by the asset.  If the carrying amount of an asset exceeds its estimated undiscounted future cash flows, an impairment 
charge is recognized for the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the fair value of the asset.

AFUDC and Capitalized Interest. The Company capitalizes interest ("ABFUDC") and common equity ("AEFUDC") costs 
to construction work in progress and capitalizes interest to nuclear fuel in process in accordance with the FERC Uniform System 
of Accounts as provided for in FASB guidance.  AFUDC is a non-cash component of income and is calculated monthly and charged 
to all new eligible construction and capital improvement projects. AFUDC is compounded on a semi-annual basis. The AFUDC 
rates used in 2014, 2013 and 2012 were 8.15%, 8.10% and 8.53%, respectively.

Asset Retirement Obligation.  FASB guidance sets forth accounting requirements for the recognition and measurement of 
liabilities associated with the retirement of tangible long-lived assets.  An asset retirement obligation ("ARO") associated with 
long-lived assets included within the scope of FASB guidance is that for which a legal obligation exists under enacted laws, statutes, 
written or oral contracts, including obligations arising under the doctrine of promissory estoppel and legal obligations to perform 
an asset retirement activity even if the timing and/or settlement are conditioned on a future event that may or may not be within 

52

EL PASO ELECTRIC COMPANY
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

the control of an entity.  See Note F.  Under FASB guidance, these liabilities are recognized as incurred if a reasonable estimate 
of fair value can be established and are capitalized as part of the cost of the related tangible long-lived assets.  The Company 
records the increase in the ARO due to the passage of time as an operating expense (accretion expense).

Cash and Cash Equivalents.  All temporary cash investments with an original maturity of three months or less are considered 

cash equivalents.

Investments.  The Company’s marketable securities, included in decommissioning trust funds in the balance sheets, are 
reported at fair value and consist of cash, equity securities and municipal, federal and corporate bonds in trust funds established 
for decommissioning of its interest in Palo Verde. Such marketable securities are classified as "available-for-sale" securities and, 
as such, unrealized gains and losses are included in accumulated other comprehensive loss as a separate component of common 
stock equity. However, if declines in fair value of marketable securities below original cost basis are determined to be other than 
temporary, then the declines are reported as losses in the statement of operations and a new cost basis is established for the affected 
securities at fair value. Gains and losses are determined using the cost of the security based on the specific identification basis. 
See Note O.

Derivative Accounting. Accounting for derivative instruments and hedging activities requires the recognition of derivatives 
as either assets or liabilities in the balance sheet with measurement of those instruments at fair value. Any changes in the fair value 
of these instruments are recorded in earnings or other comprehensive income. See Note O.

Inventories.  Inventories, primarily parts, materials, supplies, fuel oil and natural gas are stated at average cost not to exceed 

recoverable cost.

Operating Revenues Net of Energy Expenses.  The Company accrues revenues for services rendered, including unbilled 
electric service revenues.  Energy expenses are stated at actual cost incurred.  The Company’s Texas retail customers are billed 
under base rates and a fixed fuel factor approved by the Public Utility Commission of Texas ("PUCT").  The Company’s New Mexico 
retail customers are billed under base rates and a fuel adjustment clause which is adjusted monthly, as approved by the New Mexico 
Public Regulation Commission ("NMPRC"). The Company's FERC sales for resale customers are billed under formula base rates 
and fuel factors and a fuel adjustment clause which is adjusted monthly. The Company’s recovery of energy expenses is subject 
to periodic reconciliations of actual energy expenses incurred to actual fuel revenues collected.  The difference between energy 
expenses incurred and fuel revenues charged to customers is reflected as over/under-collection of fuel revenues in the balance 
sheets. See Note C.

Revenues.  Revenues related to the sale of electricity are generally recorded when service is rendered or electricity is delivered 
to customers.  The billing of electricity sales to retail customers is based on the reading of their meters, which occurs on a systematic 
basis throughout the month.  Unbilled revenues are estimated based on monthly generation volumes and by applying an average 
revenue/kWh to the number of estimated kWhs delivered but not billed.  Accounts receivable included accrued unbilled revenues 
of $21.2 million and $19.8 million at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.  The Company presents revenues net of sales 
taxes in its statements of operations. 

Allowance  for  Doubtful Accounts.   The  allowance  for  doubtful  accounts  represents  the  Company’s  estimate  of  existing 
accounts receivable that will ultimately be uncollectible.  The allowance is calculated by applying estimated write-off factors to 
various  classes  of  outstanding  receivables.    The  write-off  factors  used  to  estimate  uncollectible  accounts  are  based  upon 
consideration of both historical collections experience and management’s best estimate of future collections success given the 
existing collections environment.  Additions, deductions and balances for allowance for doubtful accounts for 2014, 2013 and 
2012 are as follows (in thousands):

Balance at beginning of year ....................................................................... $
Additions:

Charged to costs and expense...............................................................
Recovery of previous write-offs...........................................................
Uncollectible receivables written off...........................................................
Balance at end of year ................................................................................. $

2014

2013

2012

2,261

$

2,906

$

3,015

2,755
1,516
4,279
2,253

$

2,098
1,929
4,672
2,261

$

3,087
2,041
5,237
2,906

53

EL PASO ELECTRIC COMPANY
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Income Taxes.  The Company accounts for federal and state income taxes under the asset and liability method of accounting 
for income taxes.  Deferred income taxes are recognized for the estimated future tax consequences of "temporary differences" by 
applying enacted statutory tax rates for each taxable jurisdiction applicable to future years to differences between the financial 
statement carrying amounts and the tax basis of existing assets and liabilities.  Certain temporary differences are accorded flow-
through treatment by the Company's regulators and impact the Company's effective tax rate.  FASB guidance requires that rate-
regulated companies record deferred income taxes for temporary differences accorded flow-through treatment at the direction of 
the regulatory commission.  The resulting deferred tax assets and liabilities are recorded at the expected cash flow to be reflected 
in future rates.  Because the Company's regulators have consistently permitted the recovery of tax effects previously flowed-
through earnings, the Company has recorded regulatory liabilities and assets offsetting such deferred tax assets and liabilities. 
The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rate is recognized in income in the period that includes the 
enactment date.  The Company recognizes tax assets and liabilities for uncertain tax positions in accordance with the recognition 
and measurement criteria of FASB guidance for uncertainty in income taxes.  See Note J.

Earnings per Share.  The Company’s restricted stock awards are participating securities and earnings per share must be 
calculated using the two-class method in both the basic and diluted earnings per share calculations.  For the basic earnings per 
share calculation, net income is allocated to the weighted average number of restricted stock awards and to the weighted average 
number of shares outstanding.  The net income allocated to the weighted average number of shares outstanding is then divided by 
the weighted average number of shares outstanding to derive the basic earnings per share.  For the diluted earnings per share, net 
income is allocated to the weighted average number of restricted stock awards and to the weighted average number of shares and 
dilutive potential shares outstanding.  The Company’s dilutive potential shares outstanding amount is calculated using the treasury 
stock method for the unvested performance shares.  Net income allocated to the weighted average number of shares and dilutive 
potential shares is then divided by the weighted average number of shares and dilutive potential shares outstanding to derive the 
diluted earnings per share.  See Note G.

Stock-Based Compensation.  The Company has a stock-based long-term incentive plan.  The Company is required under 
FASB guidance to measure the cost of employee services received in exchange for an award of equity instruments based on the 
grant-date fair value of the award.  Such costs are recognized over the period during which an employee is required to provide 
service in exchange for the award (the "requisite service period") which typically is the vesting period.  Compensation cost is not 
recognized for anticipated forfeitures prior to vesting of equity instruments.  See Note G.

Pension and Post-retirement Benefit Accounting.  See Note M for a discussion of the Company’s accounting policies for its 

employee benefits. 

Reclassification.  Certain amounts in the financial statements for 2013 and 2012 have been reclassified to conform with the 

2014 presentation.

54

EL PASO ELECTRIC COMPANY
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

B. 

New Accounting Standards

In July 2013, the FASB issued new guidance (Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2013-11, Income Taxes (Topic 740)) 
to  eliminate  the  diversity  in  the  financial  statement  presentation  of  an  unrecognized  tax  benefit  when  a  net  operating  loss 
carryforward, a similar tax loss, or a tax credit carryforward exists. ASU 2013-11 requires an entity to present an unrecognized 
tax benefit in the financial statements as a reduction to a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss carryforward, a similar tax loss, 
or a tax credit carryforward, except in certain circumstances when it would be reflected as a liability.  The Company implemented 
ASU 2013-11 in the first quarter of 2014 on a prospective basis. This ASU did not have a significant impact on the Company's 
statement of operations or statements of cash flows. 

In May 2014, the FASB issued new guidance (ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606)) to 
provide a framework that replaces the existing revenue recognition guidance. ASU 2014-09 is the result of a joint effort by the 
FASB and the International Accounting Standards Board ("IASB") intended to clarify the principles for recognizing revenue and 
to develop a common revenue standard for U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles ("GAAP") and International Financial 
Reporting Standards. ASU 2014-09 provides that an entity should recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be 
entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers. ASU 2014-09 is effective for annual periods and interim 
periods within that reporting period beginning after December 15, 2016, for public business entities. Early adoption of ASU 
2014-09 is not permitted. The Company is currently assessing the future impact of this ASU. 

C. 

Regulation

General

The rates and services of the Company are regulated by incorporated municipalities in Texas, the PUCT, the NMPRC and 
the FERC. Municipal orders, ordinances and other agreements regarding rates and services adopted by Texas municipalities are 
subject to review and approval by the PUCT. The FERC has jurisdiction over the Company's wholesale (sales for resale) transactions, 
transmission service and compliance with federally-mandated reliability standards. The decisions of the PUCT, the NMPRC and 
the FERC are subject to judicial review. 

Texas Regulatory Matters

2012 Texas Retail Rate Case. On April 17, 2012, the El Paso City Council approved the settlement of the Company's 2012 
Texas retail rate case and fuel reconciliation in PUCT Docket No. 40094. The PUCT issued a final order approving the settlement 
on May 23, 2012 and rates were effective as of May 1, 2012. As part of the 2012 Texas retail rate settlement, the Company agreed 
to submit a future fuel reconciliation request covering the period beginning July 1, 2009 and ending no later than June 30, 2013 
by December 31, 2013 or as part of its next rate case, if earlier. The Company filed a fuel reconciliation request covering the period 
July 1, 2009 through March 31, 2013, as discussed below.  The 2012 Texas retail rate settlement also provided for the continuation 
of the energy efficiency cost recovery factor and the military base discount recovery factor. Both of these surcharges require annual 
filings to reconcile and revise the recovery factors.   

Energy Efficiency Cost Recovery Factor.  The Company made its annual filing to establish its energy efficiency cost recovery 
factor for 2015 on May 1, 2014.  In addition to projected energy efficiency costs for 2015 and true-up to prior year actual costs, 
the Company requested approval of a $2.0 million bonus for the 2013 energy efficiency program results in accordance with PUCT 
rules.  In a proposal for decision issued on October 7, 2014, the Administrative Law Judge (“ALJ”) recommended approval of the 
Company’s requested cost recovery including the requested bonus. The PUCT approved the ALJ’s recommendation at its November 
14, 2014 open meeting. The PUCT decision was not appealed. The Company recorded the $2.0 million bonus as operating revenue 
in the fourth quarter of 2014. 

Fuel and Purchased Power Costs. The Company's actual fuel costs, including purchased power energy costs, are recovered 
from customers through a fixed fuel factor. The PUCT has adopted a fuel cost recovery rule (the "Texas Fuel Rule") that allows 
the Company to seek periodic adjustments to its fixed fuel factor. The Company can seek to revise its fixed fuel factor based upon 
the approved formula at least four months after its last revision except in the month of December. The Texas Fuel Rule requires 
the Company to request to refund fuel costs in any month when the over-recovery balance exceeds a threshold material amount 
and it expects fuel costs to continue to be materially over-recovered. The Texas Fuel Rule also permits the Company to seek to 
surcharge fuel under-recoveries in any month the balance exceeds a threshold material amount and it expects fuel cost recovery 
to continue to be materially under-recovered. Fuel over and under-recoveries are considered material when they exceed 4% of the 

55

EL PASO ELECTRIC COMPANY
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

previous twelve months' fuel costs. All such fuel revenue and expense activities are subject to periodic final review by the PUCT 
in fuel reconciliation proceedings.  

On April 15, 2014, the Company filed a request, which was assigned PUCT Docket No. 42384, to increase its fixed fuel 
factor by $10.7 million or 6.9% annually, pursuant to its approved formula.  The revised fixed fuel factor reflected an expected 
increase in prices for natural gas over the twelve month period beginning March 2014.  The increase in the fixed fuel factor received 
final approval on May 28, 2014 and was effective with May 2014 billings.  As of December 31, 2014, the Company had under-
recovered fuel costs in the amount of $10.2 million for the Texas jurisdiction. The Company has been reducing the amount of the 
under-recovery since August 2014 and expects to continue to reduce the amount of under-recovery as long as the price of natural 
gas remains below the cost of natural gas included in its current fixed fuel factor.  If the price of natural gas increases above the 
cost of natural gas included in the current fixed fuel factor, the Company may request an increase to the fixed fuel factor and 
effectively mitigate an increase in the under-recovery balance.  If the under-recovered balance is above the materiality threshold 
at the time the fixed fuel factor increase is requested, then the Company will consider requesting a fuel surcharge to collect the 
remaining under-recovered balance. 

Fuel Reconciliation Proceeding. Pursuant to the 2012 Texas retail rate settlement discussed above, on September 27, 2013, 
the Company filed an application with the PUCT, designated as PUCT Docket No. 41852, to reconcile $545.3 million of fuel and 
purchased power expenses incurred during the 45-month period from July 1, 2009 through March 31, 2013. A settlement was 
reached and a final order was issued by the PUCT on July 11, 2014.  The twelve months ended December 31, 2014 financial results 
include  a  $2.1  million,  pre-tax  increase  to  income  reflecting  the  settlement  of  the Texas  fuel  reconciliation  proceeding. The 
settlement included the recognition of $3.4 million of Palo Verde performance rewards associated with the 2009 to 2012 performance 
periods net of disallowed fuel and purchased power costs of $1.75 million of which $0.5 million had been previously reserved. 
Palo  Verde  performance  rewards  are  not  recognized  in  the  Company’s  financial  results  until  the  PUCT  has  ordered  a  final 
determination in a fuel proceeding or comparable evidence of collectability is obtained.  In addition, the Company reimbursed the 
City of El Paso approximately $0.1 million in incurred expenses.  The settlement also provides that 100% of margins on non-
arbitrage off-system sales (as defined by the settlement) and 50% of margins on arbitrage off-system sales be shared with its Texas 
customers beginning April 1, 2014.  For the period April 1, 2014 through June 30, 2015, the Company’s total share of margins 
assignable to Texas retail jurisdiction, on arbitrage and non-arbitrage off-system sales, may not exceed 10% of the total margins 
assignable to the Texas retail jurisdiction on all off-system sales.  The Company also agreed to file with the PUCT a proceeding 
to address the reasonableness of the Company’s decision to not continue to participate in the Four Corners coal-fired generating 
Units 4 and 5 after July 2016.  It is expected that issues related to the final coal mine closing and reclamation costs will be addressed 
in that proceeding as well as other issues related to post-participation events such as the asset retirement obligations of the Company 
related to those two units.  The PUCT’s final order completes the regulatory review and reconciliation of the Company’s fuel 
expenses for the period through March 31, 2013.  

Montana Power Station Approvals.  As discussed further below, the Company has received a Certificate of Convenience and 
Necessity ("CCN") from the PUCT to construct all four units of the Montana Power Station ("the MPS") in El Paso County, Texas. 
The  Company  also  obtained  air  permits  from  the  Texas  Commission  on  Environmental  Quality  ("TCEQ")  and  the  U.S. 
Environmental Protection Agency ("EPA"). 

On June 23, 2014, the U.S. Supreme Court issued an opinion in the Utility Air Regulatory Group vs EPA regarding EPA’s 
authority to require greenhouse gas emissions ("GHG") Prevention of Significant Deterioration (“PSD”) permits for stationary 
sources.  The opinion concluded that the EPA erred in making applicability of the Clean Air Act (“CAA”) permitting requirements 
based on GHG emissions.  As a result, the Company believes its EPA air permit is no longer required and could be rescinded, and 
it is eligible for a standard air permit to replace the new source review permit issued by the TCEQ.  Accordingly, on August 1, 
2014, the Company submitted a request to the EPA to rescind the EPA air permit which request remains pending.  Also, on September 
16, 2014, the Company applied for a standard air permit, which TCEQ issued on October 2, 2014.   

On December 13, 2012, in PUCT Docket No. 40301, the Company received CCN approval from the PUCT for MPS Units 
1 and 2. On September 6, 2013, the Company filed an application with the PUCT for issuance of a CCN to construct, own and 
operate two additional 88 MW natural gas-fired generating units designated as the MPS Units 3 and 4. The case was designated 
PUCT Docket No. 41763. Hearings in this case were held before an ALJ in February 2014. On July 11, 2014, the PUCT approved 
the CCN to construct MPS Units 3 and 4.  

56

EL PASO ELECTRIC COMPANY
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

In 2013, the Company filed three transmission line CCN applications with the PUCT as part of the MPS Project: 

• MPS to Caliente: a 115-kV transmission line from the MPS to the existing Caliente Substation in east El Paso. (PUCT

Docket No. 41360)

• MPS  In  &  Out:  a  115-kV  transmission  line  from  the  MPS  to  intersect  with  the  existing  Caliente  -  Coyote  115-kV

transmission line. (PUCT Docket No. 41359)

• MPS to Montwood: a 115-kV transmission line from the MPS to the existing Montwood Substation in east El Paso.

(PUCT Docket No. 41809)

The Company requested to build these transmission lines to connect the new MPS to the electrical grid in order to meet 
expected customer growth and electric demand and to improve system reliability. On March 10, 2014, the PUCT issued a final 
order approving a unanimous settlement in the MPS to Caliente transmission CCN filing. On August 18, 2014, the PUCT issued 
final orders approving unanimous settlements of the MPS In & Out transmission CCN filing and the MPS to Montwood transmission 
CCN filing.  

Other Required Approvals. The Company has obtained other required approvals for recovery of fuel costs through fixed fuel 

factors, other tariffs and approvals as required by the Public Utility Regulatory Act ( the "PURA") and the PUCT.   

New Mexico Regulatory Matters

2009 New Mexico Stipulation. On December 10, 2009, the NMPRC issued a final order conditionally approving the stipulated 
rates in NMPRC Case No. 09-00171-UT. The stipulated rates went into effect with January 2010 bills. The stipulated rates provide 
for an Efficient Use of Energy Factor Rate Rider to recover energy efficiency expenditures which requires an annual filing and 
approval of the related incentives and adjustment to the recovery factors. 

Fuel and Purchased Power Costs.  Fuel and purchased power costs are recovered through base rates and a Fuel and Purchased 
Power Cost Adjustment Clause (the "FPPCAC") that corrects for changes in the costs of fuel included in base rates. On January 
8, 2014, the NMPRC approved the continuation of the FPPCAC without modification in NMPRC Case No. 13-00380-UT.  Fuel 
and purchased power costs are reconciled to actual costs on a monthly basis and recovered or refunded to customers the second 
succeeding month. The Company recovers its investment in Palo Verde Unit 3 in New Mexico through the FPPCAC as purchased 
power using a proxy market price approved in the 2009 New Mexico rate stipulation. 

Montana Power Station Approvals.  The Company has received a CCN from the NMPRC to construct all four units of the 
MPS and associated transmission lines.  The Company also obtained all necessary air permits from the TCEQ and EPA and has 
begun construction. A final order in NMPRC Case No. 13-00297-UT approving the CCN for MPS Units 3 and 4 was issued on 
June 11, 2014.  

Other Required Approvals. The Company has obtained other required approvals for other tariffs, securities transactions, 
long-term resource plans, recovery of energy efficiency costs through a base rate rider and other approvals as required by the 
NMPRC.    

Federal Regulatory Matters

Public Service Company of New Mexico's ("PNM") 2010 Transmission Rate Case. On October 27, 2010, PNM filed a Notice 
of Transmission Rate Change for transmission delivery services provided by PNM. These rates went into effect on June 1, 2011. 
The Company takes transmission service from PNM.  On January 2, 2013, the FERC issued a letter order approving a unanimous 
stipulation and agreement.  Pursuant to the stipulation, on January 31, 2013, PNM refunded $1.9 million for amounts that PNM 
collected since June 1, 2011 in excess of settlement rates. This amount was recorded in the fourth quarter of 2012 as a reduction 
of transmission expense.  

PNM Transmission Rate Case. On December 31, 2012, PNM filed with FERC to change its method of transmission rate 
recovery  for its transmission delivery services from stated rates to  formula rates.  The Company takes transmission service from 
PNM and is among the PNM transmission customers affected by PNM’s shift to formula rates. On March 1, 2013, the FERC 
issued an order rejecting in part PNM’s filing, and establishing settlement judge and hearing procedures.  The parties to the case, 
including the Company, have been participating in settlement negotiations.  The Company cannot predict the outcome of the case 
at this time. 

57

EL PASO ELECTRIC COMPANY
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Other Required Approvals. The Company has obtained required approvals for rates and tariffs, securities transactions and 

other approvals as required by the FERC.   

Department of Energy ("DOE"). The DOE regulates the Company's exports of power to the Comisión Federal de Electricidad 

in Mexico pursuant to a license granted by the DOE and two presidential permits. 

The DOE is authorized to assess operators of nuclear generating facilities a share of the costs of decommissioning the DOE's 
uranium enrichment facilities and for the ultimate costs of disposal of spent nuclear fuel. See Note E for discussion of spent fuel 
storage and disposal costs.  

Sales for Resale

The Company provides firm capacity and associated energy to the Rio Grande Electric Cooperative ("RGEC") pursuant to 
an ongoing contract with a two-year notice to terminate provision. The Company also provides network integrated transmission 
service to the RGEC pursuant to the Company's Open Access Transmission Tariff ("OATT"). The contract includes a formula-
based rate that is updated annually to recover non-fuel generation costs and a fuel adjustment clause designed to recover all eligible 
fuel and purchased power costs allocable to the RGEC. 

D. 

Regulatory Assets and Liabilities

The Company's operations are regulated by the PUCT, the NMPRC and the FERC.  Regulatory assets represent probable 
future recovery of previously incurred costs, which will be collected from customers through the ratemaking process.  Regulatory 
liabilities represent probable future reductions in revenues associated with amounts that are to be credited to customers through 
the  ratemaking  process.    Regulatory  assets  and  liabilities  reflected  in  the  Company's  balance  sheets  are  presented  below  (in 
thousands):

Regulatory assets

Amortization
Period Ends

December 31,
2014

December 31,
2013

$

66,134

$

Regulatory tax assets (a) ........................................................
Loss on reacquired debt (c) .................................................... May 2035
Final coal reclamation (d) ......................................................

(b)

(e)

Nuclear fuel postload daily financing charge.........................
Unrecovered issuance costs due to reissuance of PCBs (c) ... August 2042
Texas energy efficiency..........................................................

(d)

(f)

Texas 2012 rate case costs......................................................

April 2014

Texas 2015 rate case costs......................................................

Texas military base discount and recovery factor ..................
New Mexico procurement plan costs .....................................

New Mexico renewable energy credits ..................................

New Mexico 2010 FPPCAC audit .........................................

New Mexico Palo Verde deferred depreciation......................

New Mexico 2015 rate case costs ..........................................

Total regulatory assets

Regulatory liabilities

Regulatory tax liabilities (a) ...................................................

Accumulated deferred investment tax credit (i) .....................
New Mexico energy efficiency ..............................................

Texas energy efficiency..........................................................

Texas military base discount and recovery factor ..................

(g)

(h)
(g)

(g)

(g)

(b)

(g)

(b)

(b)
(f)

(f)

(h)

$

$

17,486

10,702

4,127

860

1,817

—

169

—
139

5,456

434

4,720

42

112,086

17,252

4,334
3,904

—

609

$

$

61,772

18,338

4,290

4,141

893

—

581

—

759
139

4,833

433

4,871

—

101,050

17,752

4,656
3,646

362

—

Total regulatory liabilities

$

26,099

$

26,416

58

EL PASO ELECTRIC COMPANY
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

________________
(a)  No specific return on investment is required since related assets and liabilities offset.
(b)  The amortization period for this asset is based upon the life of the associated assets or liabilities.
(c)  This item is recovered as a component of the weighted cost of debt and amortized over the life of the related debt issuance.
(d)  This item is recovered through fuel recovery mechanisms. 
(e)  This item and the related final coal reclamation liability have been included or will be requested in rate base.
(f)  This item is recovered or credited through a recovery factor that is set annually.
(g)  Amortization period is anticipated to be established in next general rate case.
(h)  This item represents the net asset/net liability related to the military discount which is recovered from non-military customers 

through a recovery factor.

(i)  This item is excluded from rate base.

E.  

Utility Plant, Palo Verde and Other Jointly-Owned Utility Plant

The table below presents the balance of each major class of depreciable assets at December 31, 2014 (in thousands):

Nuclear production ....................................................................... $
Steam and other ............................................................................
Total production ....................................................................
Transmission ................................................................................
Distribution...................................................................................
General .........................................................................................
Intangible......................................................................................

Gross
Plant
874,817
684,863
1,559,680
433,982
1,020,901
139,491
75,201
Total....................................................................................... $ 3,229,255

$

Accumulated
Depreciation

Net
Plant
588,232
400,099
988,331
183,041
677,970
83,079
30,162
$ (1,266,672) $ 1,962,583

(286,585) $
(284,764)
(571,349)
(250,941)
(342,931)
(56,412)
(45,039)

Amortization of intangible plant (software) is provided on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life of the asset 
(ranging from 5 to 10 years).  The table below presents the actual and estimated amortization expense for intangible plant for the 
previous three years and for the next five years (in thousands):

2012 .....................................................................................

2013 .....................................................................................
2014 .....................................................................................
2015 (estimated) ..................................................................
2016 (estimated) ..................................................................
2017 (estimated) ..................................................................
2018 (estimated) ..................................................................
2019 (estimated) ..................................................................

7,183
7,683
8,051
7,505
7,030
6,388
4,762
3,101

The Company owns a 15.8% interest in each of the three nuclear generating units and common facilities at Palo Verde, in 
Wintersburg, Arizona.  The Palo Verde Participants include the Company and six other utilities:  Arizona Public Service Company 
("APS"), Southern California Edison Company ("SCE"), Public Service Company of New Mexico ("PNM"), Southern California 
Public Power Authority, Salt River Project Agricultural Improvement and Power District ("SRP") and the Los Angeles Department 
of Water and Power. 

Other jointly-owned utility plant includes a 7% interest in Units 4 and 5 at Four Corners Generating Station ("Four Corners") 
and certain other transmission facilities.  A summary of the Company’s investment in jointly-owned utility plant, excluding fuel 
inventories, at December 31, 2014 and 2013 is as follows (in thousands):

59

EL PASO ELECTRIC COMPANY
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Electric plant in service ............................................................... $
Accumulated depreciation ...........................................................
Construction work in progress.....................................................

Total...................................................................................... $

December 31, 2014

December 31, 2013

Palo Verde

874,817
(286,585)
55,632
643,864

$

$

Other
219,318
(176,492)
6,900
49,726

$

$

Palo Verde

817,665
(271,173)
75,040
621,532

$

$

Other
217,137
(173,819)
2,347
45,665

Palo Verde

The operation of Palo Verde and the relationship among the Palo Verde Participants is governed by the Arizona Nuclear 
Power Project Participation Agreement (the "ANPP Participation Agreement").  APS serves as operating agent for Palo Verde, 
and under the ANPP Participation Agreement, the Company has limited ability to influence operations and costs at Palo Verde. 
Pursuant to the ANPP Participation Agreement, the Palo Verde Participants share costs and generating entitlements in the same 
proportion as their percentage interests in the generating units, and each participant is required to fund its share of fuel, other 
operations, maintenance and capital costs.  The Company’s share of direct expenses in Palo Verde and other jointly-owned utility 
plants is reflected in fuel expense, other operations expense, maintenance expense, miscellaneous other deductions, and taxes 
other  than  income  taxes  in  the  Company’s    statements  of  operations.   The ANPP  Participation Agreement  provides  that  if  a 
participant fails to meet its payment obligations, each non-defaulting participant shall pay its proportionate share of the payments 
owed by the defaulting participant.  Because it is impracticable to predict defaulting participants, the Company cannot estimate 
the maximum potential amount of future payment, if any, which could be required under this provision.

NRC.  The NRC regulates the operation of all commercial nuclear power reactors in the United States, including Palo Verde. 
The NRC periodically conducts inspections of nuclear facilities and monitors performance indicators to enable the agency to arrive 
at objective conclusions about a licensee’s safety performance.   

Palo Verde Operating Licenses. Operation of each of the three Palo Verde Units requires an operating license from the NRC.  
The NRC issued full power operating licenses for Unit 1 in June 1985, Unit 2 in April 1986 and Unit 3 in November 1987, and 
issued renewed operating licenses for each of the three units in April 2011, which extended the licenses for Units 1, 2 and 3 to 
June 2045, April 2046 and November 2047, respectively. 

Decommissioning.  Pursuant to the ANPP Participation Agreement and federal law, the Company must fund its share of the 
estimated costs to decommission Palo Verde Units 1, 2 and 3, including the Common Facilities, through the term of their respective 
operating licenses and is required to maintain a minimum accumulation and funding level in its decommissioning account at the 
end of each annual reporting period during the life of the plant. The Company has established external trusts with an independent 
trustee, which enables the Company to record a current deduction for federal income tax purposes for most of the amounts funded. 
At December 31, 2014, the Company’s decommissioning trust fund had a balance of $234.3 million, which is above its minimum 
funding level. The Company monitors the status of its decommissioning funds and adjusts its deposits, if necessary.

Decommissioning costs are estimated every three years based upon engineering cost studies performed by outside engineers 
retained by APS.  In December 2013, the Palo Verde Participants approved the 2013 Palo Verde decommissioning study (the "2013 
Study"). The 2013 Study estimated that the Company must fund approximately $380.7 million (stated in 2013 dollars) to cover 
its share of decommissioning costs which was an increase in decommissioning costs of $23.3 million (stated in 2013 dollars) from 
the 2010 Palo Verde decommissioning study.  However, because the cash flows from the 2013 Study were less than the inflated 
amounts from the 2010 Study, the effect of this change lowered the asset retirement obligation by $1.9 million which lowered 
annual expenses starting in January 2014.  Although the 2013 Study was based on the latest available information, there can be 
no assurance that decommissioning cost estimates will not increase in the future or that regulatory requirements will not change. 
In addition, until a new low-level radioactive waste repository opens and operates for a number of years, estimates of the cost to 
dispose of low-level radioactive waste are subject to significant uncertainty.   

Spent Nuclear Fuel and Waste Disposal. Pursuant to the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982, as amended in 1987 (the "NWPA"), 
the DOE is legally obligated to accept and dispose of all spent nuclear fuel and other high-level radioactive waste generated by 
all domestic power reactors by 1998. The DOE's obligations are reflected in a contract for Disposal of Spent Nuclear Fuel and/or 
High-Level Radioactive Waste (the "Standard Contract") with each nuclear power plant. The DOE failed to begin accepting spent 
nuclear fuel by 1998. On December 19, 2012, APS, acting on behalf of itself and the participant owners of Palo Verde, filed a 
second breach of contract lawsuit against the DOE. This lawsuit sought to recover damages incurred due to the DOE’s failure to 
accept Palo Verde’s spent nuclear fuel for the period beginning January 1, 2007 through June 30, 2011. On August 18, 2014, APS 

60

EL PASO ELECTRIC COMPANY
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

and the DOE entered into a settlement agreement, stipulating to a dismissal of the lawsuit and payment of $57.4 million by the 
DOE to the Palo Verde owners for certain specified costs incurred by Palo Verde during the period January 1, 2007 through June 
30, 2011. On October 8, 2014, the Company received approximately $9.1 million, representing its share of the award.  The majority 
of the award was refunded to customers through the applicable fuel adjustment clauses.  On October 31, 2014, APS acting on 
behalf of itself and the participant owners of Palo Verde, submitted to the government an additional request for reimbursement of 
spent nuclear fuel storage costs for the period July 1, 2011 through June 30, 2014.  The total submitted claim amount was $42.5 
million, of which the Company's portion is $6.7 million. The reimbursement is anticipated to be received in the first half of 2015, 
and the majority will be refunded to customers through the applicable fuel adjustment clauses.   

DOE’s Construction Authorization Application for Yucca Mountain. The DOE had planned to meet its disposal obligations 
by designing, licensing, constructing, and operating a permanent geologic repository at Yucca Mountain, Nevada.  In March 2010, 
the DOE filed a motion to dismiss with prejudice its Yucca Mountain construction authorization application that was pending 
before the NRC.  Several interested parties have intervened in the NRC proceeding, and the proceeding has not been conclusively 
decided  by  the  NRC  or  the  courts.   Additionally,  a  number  of  interested  parties  have  filed  a  variety  of  lawsuits  in  different 
jurisdictions around the country challenging the DOE's authority to withdraw the Yucca Mountain construction authorization 
application and NRC’s cessation of its review of the Yucca Mountain construction authorization application.  The cases have been 
consolidated into one matter at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit (the "D.C. Circuit").  In August 
2013, the D.C. Circuit ordered the NRC to resume its review of the application with available appropriated funds. 

On October 16, 2014, the NRC issued Volume 3 of the safety evaluation report developed as part of the Yucca Mountain 
construction authorization application.  This volume addresses repository safety after permanent closure, and its issuance is a key 
milestone in the Yucca Mountain licensing process.  Volume 3 contains the NRC staff’s finding that the DOE’s repository design 
meets  the  requirements  that  apply  after  the  repository  is  permanently  closed,  including  but  not  limited  to  the  post-closure 
performance objectives in NRC’s regulations.  

On December 18, 2014, the NRC issued Volume 4 of the safety evaluation report developed as part of the Yucca Mountain 
construction authorization application.  This volume covers administrative and programmatic requirements for the repository.  It 
documents the NRC staff’s evaluation of whether the DOE’s research and development and performance confirmation programs, 
as well as other administrative controls and systems, meet applicable NRC requirements.  Volume 4 contains the NRC staff’s 
finding that most administrative and programmatic requirements in NRC regulations are met, except for certain requirements 
relating to ownership of land and water rights. 

Publication of Volumes 3 and 4 does not signal whether or when the NRC might authorize construction of the repository. 

The Company cannot predict when spent fuel shipments to the DOE will commence. 

Waste Confidence. On June 8, 2012, the D.C. Circuit issued its decision on a challenge by several states and environmental 
groups of the NRC’s rulemaking regarding temporary storage and permanent disposal of high level nuclear waste and spent nuclear 
fuel.  The petitioners had challenged the NRC’s 2010 update to the agency’s Waste Confidence Decision and temporary storage 
rule (“Waste Confidence Decision”). 

The D.C. Circuit found that the agency’s 2010 Waste Confidence Decision update constituted a major federal action, which, 
consistent with the National Environmental Policy Act (“NEPA”), requires either an environmental impact statement or a finding 
of no significant impact from the agency’s actions.  The D.C. Circuit found that the NRC’s evaluation of the environmental risks 
from spent nuclear fuel was deficient, and therefore remanded the 2010 Waste Confidence Decision update for further action 
consistent with NEPA. 

On September 6, 2012, the NRC Commissioners issued a directive to the NRC staff to proceed directly with development 
of a generic environmental impact statement to support an updated Waste Confidence Decision.  The NRC Commissioners also 
directed the NRC staff to establish a schedule to publish a final rule and environmental impact study within 24 months of September 
6, 2012.   

In September 2013, the NRC issued its draft Generic Environmental Impact Statement (“GEIS”) to support an updated Waste 
Confidence Decision.  On August 26, 2014, the NRC approved a final rule on the environmental effects of continued storage of 
spent nuclear fuel.  The continued storage rule adopted the findings of the GEIS regarding the environmental impacts of storing 
spent fuel at any reactor site after the reactor’s licensed period of operations.  As a result, those generic impacts do not need to be 
re-analyzed in the environmental reviews for individual licenses.  Although Palo Verde had not been involved in any licensing 
actions affected by the D.C. Circuit’s June 8, 2012, decision, the NRC lifted its suspension on final licensing actions on all nuclear 

61

EL PASO ELECTRIC COMPANY
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

power plant licenses and renewals that went into effect when the D.C. Circuit issued its June 2012 decision.  The August 24 final 
rule has been subject to continuing legal challenges before the NRC and the Court of Appeals. 

Palo Verde has sufficient capacity at its on-site independent spent fuel storage installation (“ISFSI”) to store all of the nuclear 
fuel that will be irradiated during the initial operating license period, which ends in December 2027.  Additionally, Palo Verde has 
sufficient capacity at its on-site ISFSI to store a portion of the fuel that will be irradiated during the period of extended operation, 
which ends in November 2047.  If uncertainties regarding the United States government’s obligation to accept and store spent fuel 
are not favorably resolved, APS will evaluate alternative storage solutions that may obviate the need to expand the ISFSI to 
accommodate all of the fuel that will be irradiated during the period of extended operation. 

The One-Mill Fee.  In 2011, the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners and the Nuclear Energy Institute 
challenged DOE’s 2010 determination of the adequacy of the one tenth of a cent per kWh fee (the "one-mill fee") paid by the 
nation’s commercial nuclear power plant owners pursuant to their individual obligations under the Standard Contract. This fee 
was recovered by the Company through applicable fuel adjustment clauses.  In June 2012, the D.C. Circuit held that DOE failed 
to conduct a sufficient fee analysis in making the 2010 determination.  The D.C. Circuit remanded the 2010 determination to the 
Secretary of the DOE ("Secretary") with instructions to conduct a new fee adequacy determination within six months.  In February 
2013, upon completion of DOE’s revised one-mill fee adequacy determination, the court reopened the proceedings.  On November 
19, 2013, the D.C. Circuit ordered the Secretary to notify Congress of his intent to suspend collecting annual fees for nuclear waste 
disposal from nuclear power plant operators, as he is required to do pursuant to the NWPA and the court’s order.  On January 3, 
2014, the Secretary notified Congress of his intention to suspend collection of the one-mill fee, subject to Congress’ disapproval 
and on May 12, 2014, APS was notified by the DOE that, effective May 16, 2014, the one-mill fee would be suspended. Electricity 
generated and sold prior to May 16, 2014 remained subject to the one-mill fee.

NRC Oversight of the Nuclear Energy Industry in the Wake of the Earthquake and Tsunami in Japan.  The NRC regulates 
the operation of all commercial nuclear power reactors in the United States, including Palo Verde.  The NRC periodically conducts 
inspections of nuclear facilities and monitors performance indicators to enable the agency to arrive at objective conclusions about 
a licensee's safety performance.  Following the March 11, 2011 earthquake and tsunami in Japan, the NRC established a task force 
to conduct a systematic and methodical review of NRC processes and regulations to determine whether the agency should make 
additional improvements to its regulatory system.  On March 12, 2012, the NRC issued the first regulatory requirements based 
on the recommendations of the NRC's Near Term Task Force.  With respect to Palo Verde, the NRC issued two orders requiring 
safety enhancements regarding: (1) mitigation strategies to respond to extreme natural events resulting in the loss of power at 
plants; and (2) enhancement of spent fuel pool instrumentation. 

The NRC has issued a series of interim staff guidance documents regarding implementation of these requirements.  Due to 
the developing nature of these requirements, the Company cannot predict the ultimate financial or operational impacts on Palo 
Verde or the Company; however, the NRC has directed nuclear power plants to implement the first tier recommendations of the 
NRC’s Near Term Task Force.  In response to these recommendations, Palo Verde expects to spend approximately $40 million 
for capital enhancements to the plant over the next two years (the Company's share is $6.3 million) in addition to the approximate 
$80 million (the Company’s share is $12.6 million) that has already been spent on capital enhancements as of December 31, 2014. 

Liability and Insurance Matters. The Palo Verde Participants have insurance for public liability resulting from nuclear energy 
hazards to the full limit of liability under federal law, which is currently at $13.6 billion. This potential liability is covered by 
primary liability insurance provided by commercial insurance carriers in the amount of $375 million, and the balance is covered 
by an industry-wide retrospective assessment program. If a loss at a nuclear power plant covered by the programs exceeds the 
accumulated funds in the primary level of protection, the Company could be assessed retrospective premium adjustments on a per 
incident basis.  Under federal law, the maximum assessment per reactor under the program for each nuclear incident is approximately 
$127.3 million, subject to an annual limit of $19.0 million.  Based upon the Company's 15.8% interest in the three Palo Verde 
units, the Company's maximum potential assessment per incident for all three units is approximately $60.4 million, with an annual 
payment limitation of approximately $9.0 million. 

The Palo Verde Participants maintain $2.8 billion of "all risk" nuclear property insurance.  The insurance provides coverage 
for property damage and decontamination at Palo Verde. For covered incidents involving property damage not accompanied by 
a release of radioactive material, the policy's coverage limit is $2.3 billion. The Company has also secured insurance against 
portions of any increased cost of generation or purchased power and business interruption resulting from a sudden and unforeseen 
outage of any of the three units.  The insurance coverage discussed in this and the previous paragraph is subject to certain policy 
conditions and exclusions.  A mutual insurance company whose members are utilities with nuclear facilities issues these policies. 

62

EL PASO ELECTRIC COMPANY
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

If losses at any nuclear facility covered by this mutual insurance company were to exceed the accumulated funds for these insurance 
programs, the Company could be assessed retrospective premium adjustments of up to $10.9 million for the current policy period. 

Four Corners

The Company owns a 7% interest in Units 4 and 5 at Four Corners and shares power entitlements and allocated costs with 
APS, the operating agent, and the other Four Corners participants. The Company notified the other participants in 2013 that it 
would not continue in Four Corners after the termination of the 50-year contractual term of the participation agreement but that 
it would offer to sell its interest to them in order to facilitate their decision to extend the life of the plant. On February 17, 2015, 
the Company and APS entered into an asset purchase agreement (the “Agreement”), providing for the purchase by APS of the 
Company’s interests in Four Corners. The cash purchase price is equal to the net book value of the Company’s interest in Four 
Corners at the date of closing, which is expected to occur not later than July 2016, subject to the receipt of regulatory approvals. 
The purchase price will be adjusted downward to reflect APS’s assumption in the Agreement of the Company’s obligation to pay 
for future plant decommissioning and mine reclamation expenses. At the closing, APS will also reimburse the Company for the 
undepreciated value of certain capital expenditures made prior thereto. APS will assume responsibility for all capital expenditures 
made after July 2016 and, with certain exceptions, any pre-2016 capital expenditures to be put into service following the closing. 
In addition, APS will indemnify the Company against liabilities and costs related to the future operation of Four Corners. Included 
in the Company's balance sheet at December 31, 2014 are obligations of $6.1 million and $19.3 million for plant decommissioning 
and mine reclamation costs, respectively, which the Company expects to pay at closing in accordance with the Agreement. 

F.  

Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations

The Company complies with FASB guidance for asset retirement obligations ("ARO").  This guidance affects the accounting 
for  the  decommissioning  of  the  Company’s  Palo Verde  and  Four Corners  Stations  and  the  method  used  to  report  the 
decommissioning obligation.  The Company also complies with FASB guidance for conditional asset retirement obligations which 
primarily affects the accounting for the disposal obligations of the Company’s fuel oil storage tanks, water wells, evaporative 
ponds and asbestos found at the Company’s gas-fired generating plants.  The Company’s AROs are subject to various assumptions 
and determinations such as:  (i) whether a legal obligation exists to remove assets; (ii) estimation of the fair value of the costs of 
removal; (iii) when final removal will occur; (iv) future changes in decommissioning cost escalation rates; and (v) the credit-
adjusted  interest  rates  to  be  utilized  in  discounting  future  liabilities.    Changes  that  may  arise  over  time  with  regard  to  these 
assumptions and determinations will change amounts recorded in the future as an expense for AROs.  The Company records the 
increase in the ARO due to the passage of time as an operating expense (accretion expense).  If the Company incurs or assumes 
any liability in retiring any asset at the end of its useful life without a legal obligation to do so, it will record such retirement costs 
as incurred.

The ARO liability for Palo Verde is based upon the estimated cost of decommissioning the plant from the 2013 Palo Verde 
decommissioning study.  See Note E.  The ARO liability is calculated by adjusting the estimated decommissioning costs for spent 
fuel storage and a profit margin and market-risk premium factor.  The resulting costs are escalated over the remaining life of the 
plant and finally discounted using a credit-risk adjusted discount rate.  As Palo Verde approaches the end of its estimated useful 
life, the difference between the ARO liability and future current cost estimates will narrow over time due to the accretion of the 
ARO liability.  Because the DOE is obligated to assume responsibility for the permanent disposal of spent fuel, spent fuel costs 
have not been included in the ARO calculation.  The Company maintains six external trust funds with an independent trustee that 
are legally restricted to settling its ARO at Palo Verde.  The fair value of the funds at December 31, 2014 is $234.3 million.

FASB  guidance  requires  the  Company  to  revise  its  previously  recorded ARO  for  any  changes  in  estimated  cash  flows 
including changes in estimated probabilities related to timing of settlements.  Any changes that result in an upward revision to 
estimated cash flows shall be treated as a new liability.  Any downward revisions to the estimated cash flows result in a reduction 
to the previously recorded ARO.  In December 2013, the Company implemented the 2013 Palo Verde decommissioning study, 
and as a result, revised its ARO related to Palo Verde to decrease its estimated cash flows from the 2010 Study to the 2013 Study 
(see Note E).  The assumptions used to calculate the Palo Verde ARO liability are as follows: 

Original ARO liability...............
Incremental ARO liability.........

Credit-Risk
Adjusted
Discount Rate

9.50%
6.20%

Escalation
Rate

3.60%
3.60%

63

EL PASO ELECTRIC COMPANY
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

A roll forward of the Company’s total ARO liability from January 1, 2012 through December 31, 2014, including the effects 
of each year’s estimate revisions, is presented below.  In 2014, the estimate revision includes an adjustment to Four Corners due 
to the early recognition of the obligation resulting from the purchase agreement with APS.  In 2013, the estimate revision includes 
a change to the probability of extending Four Corners’ operating term and decreases in the estimated cash flows related to Palo 
Verde’s decommissioning due to implementing the 2013 Palo Verde decommissioning study.  In 2012, the estimate revision includes 
a change to the probability of extending Four Corners’ operating term. 

ARO liability at beginning of year........................ $
Liabilities incurred .........................................
Liabilities settled............................................
Revisions to estimate .....................................
Accretion expense..........................................
ARO liability at end of year .................................. $

2014
65,214
—
—
3,561
5,802
74,577

$

$

2013
62,784
—
(36)
(3,401)
5,867
65,214

$

$

2012
56,140
—
(450)
1,929
5,165
62,784

The Company has transmission and distribution lines which are operated under various property easement agreements.  If 
the easements were to be released, the Company may have a legal obligation to remove the lines; however, the Company has 
assessed the likelihood of this occurring as remote.  The majority of these easements include renewal options which the Company 
routinely exercises.

G.  

Common Stock

Overview

The Company’s common stock has a stated value of $1 per share, with no cumulative voting rights or preemptive rights. 

Holders of the common stock have the right to elect the Company’s directors and to vote on other matters.

Long-Term Incentive Plan

On May 29, 2014, the Company’s shareholders approved an amended and restated stock-based long-term incentive plan (the 
"Amended and Restated 2007 LTIP") and authorized the issuance of up to 1.7 million shares of common stock for the benefit of 
directors and employees. Under the Amended and Restated 2007 LTIP, common stock may be issued through the award or grant 
of non-statutory stock options, incentive stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, bonus stock, performance stock, 
cash-based awards and other stock-based awards. The Company may issue new shares, purchase shares on the open market, or 
issue shares from shares the Company has repurchased to meet the share requirements of the Amended and Restated 2007 LTIP. 
As discussed in Note A, the Company accounts for its stock-based long-term incentive plan under FASB guidance for stock-based 
compensation.

Stock Options. Stock options have been granted at exercise prices equal to or greater than the market value of the underlying 
shares at the date of grant. The fair value for these options was estimated at the grant date using the Black-Scholes option pricing 
model. The options expired ten years from the date of grant unless terminated earlier by the Board of Directors (the “Board”). 
Stock options have not been granted since 2003.

The 15,000 options outstanding at December 31, 2012 were exercised during 2013 with a weighted average exercise price 
of $12.78. The Company received $0.2 million in cash and realized a current tax benefit of $0.1 million. The Company had no 
stock options outstanding as of December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2014. 

The intrinsic value of stock options exercised in  2013 and 2012 were $0.3 million and $0.6 million, respectively. No options 
were forfeited, vested or expired during 2014, 2013 and 2012. No compensation cost was recognized in  2014, 2013 and 2012 for 
stock options.

Restricted Stock and Other Stock-Based Awards. The Company has awarded restricted stock and other stock-based awards 
under its long-term incentive plan. Restrictions from resale on restricted stock awards generally lapse and awards vest over periods 
of one to three years. The market value of the unvested restricted stock at the date of grant is amortized to expense over the 
restriction period net of anticipated forfeitures. 

64

EL PASO ELECTRIC COMPANY
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Other stock-based awards are fully vested and are expensed at fair value on the date of grant.  Previously directors could 
elect to receive retainers and meeting fees in cash, restricted stock, or a combination of cash and stock.  On May 29, 2014, the 
Board of Directors voted to revise the terms of the restricted stock awards granted to directors in lieu of cash for retainers and 
meeting fees.  Stock elections by directors in lieu of cash for retainer and meeting fees are now fully vested and are expensed at 
fair value on the date of grant.  The modification to 13,863 outstanding restricted stock awards granted to directors resulted in 
forfeiture of those awards and the granting of new awards which were fully vested and expensed at $37.81 per share, the fair value 
on the date of grant.

The expense, deferred tax benefit, and current tax expense recognized related to restricted stock awards and other stock-

based awards in 2014, 2013 and 2012 is presented below (in thousands):

2014

2013

2012

Expense (a).......................................
Deferred tax benefit .........................
Current tax benefit recognized.........
_____________________
(a) Any capitalized costs related to these expenses is less than $0.1 million for all years.

3,471

1,215

2,458

109

860

39

$

$

$

1,508

528

94

The aggregate intrinsic value and fair value at grant date of restricted stock and other stock-based awards which vested in 

2014, 2013 and 2012  is presented below (in thousands):

2014

2013

2012

Aggregated intrinsic value...........
Fair value at grant date ................

$

$

3,441

3,330

$

2,077

1,765

2,242

1,973

The unvested restricted stock and other stock-based award transactions for 2014 are presented below:

Weighted
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value

Total
Shares

Unrecognized
Compensation
Expense (a)
(In thousands)

Aggregate
Intrinsic Value
(In thousands)

Restricted shares outstanding at December 31, 2013 .....

120,534

$

Stock awards............................................................

Vested ......................................................................

Forfeitures................................................................

Restricted shares outstanding at December 31, 2014 .....

113,776
(90,851)
(19,162)
124,297

35.19

36.95

36.66

34.72

35.81

$

1,662

$

4,979

_______________________
(a) The unrecognized compensation expense is expected to be recognized over the weighted average remaining contractual term 

of the outstanding restricted stock of approximately one year.

The weighted average fair value per share at grant date for restricted stock and other stock-base awards granted during 2014, 

2013 and 2012 were: 

Weighted average fair value per share ............ $

36.95

$

35.48

$

32.45

2014

2013

2012

The holder of a restricted stock award has rights as a shareholder of the Company, including the right to vote and receive 

cash dividends on restricted stock.

65

EL PASO ELECTRIC COMPANY
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Performance Shares. The Company has granted performance share awards to certain officers under the Company’s Amended 
and Restated 2007 LTIP, which provides for issuance of Company stock based on the achievement of certain performance criteria 
over a three-year period. The payout varies between 0% to 200% of performance share awards.

Detail of performance shares vested follows:

Date Vested

Payout
Ratio

Performance
Shares
Awarded

Compensation
Costs
Expensed

(In thousands)

Period
Compensation
Costs
Expensed

Aggregated
Intrinsic
Value

(In thousands)

February 20, 2015

February 18, 2014

0%

0%

0

0

January 29, 2013

150.0%

64,275

$

1,502

2012-2014

$

954

849

2011-2013

2010-2012

January 1, 2012

175.0%

174,038

1,193

2009-2011

—

—

2,176

6,029

In 2015, 2016 and 2017, subject to meeting certain performance criteria, additional performance shares could be awarded. 
In accordance with FASB guidance related to stock-based compensation, the Company recognizes the related compensation expense 
by ratably amortizing the grant date fair value of awards over the requisite service period and the compensation expense is only 
adjusted for forfeitures. The actual number of shares to be issued can range from zero to 145,496 shares.

The fair value at the date of each separate grant of performance shares was based upon a Monte Carlo simulation. The Monte 
Carlo simulation reflected the structure of the performance plan which calculates the share payout on performance of the Company 
relative to a defined peer group over a three-year performance period based upon total return to shareholders. The fair value was 
determined as the average payout of one million simulation paths discounted to the grant date using a risk-free interest rate based 
upon the constant maturity treasury rate yield curve at the grant date. The expected volatility of total return to shareholders is 
calculated in accordance with the plan’s term structure and includes the volatilities of all members of the defined peer group.

The outstanding performance share awards at the 100% performance level is summarized below: 

Number
Outstanding

Weighted
Average
Grant Date
Fair Value

Unrecognized
Compensation
Expense (a)

Aggregate
Intrinsic Value

(In thousands)

(In thousands)

Performance shares outstanding at December 31, 2013...

124,997

$

Performance share awards ................................................

Performance shares lapsed................................................

Performance shares forfeited ............................................

Performance shares outstanding at December 31, 2014...

37,561
(34,050)
(7,027)
121,481

31.38

26.36

28.03

32.24

30.71

$

975

$

4,867

_______________________
(a) The unrecognized compensation expense is expected to be recognized over the weighted average remaining contractual term 

of the awards of approximately one year.

66

EL PASO ELECTRIC COMPANY
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

A summary of information related to performance shares for 2014, 2013 and 2012 is presented below: 

2014

2013

2012

Weighted average per share grant date fair value per share of
performance shares awarded ....................................................................... $
Fair value of performance shares vested (in thousands) .............................
Intrinsic value of performance shares vested (in thousands) (a) .................
Compensation expense (in thousands) (b)...................................................
Deferred tax benefit related to compensation expense (in thousands) ........

26.36

$

34.69

$

32.74

—

—

1,181

413

849

1,450

1,188

416

1,193

3,464

170

59

_____________________
(a) Based on a 100% performance level.
(b) Includes adjustments for forfeiture of performance share awards by certain executives.

Repurchase Program

No shares of common stock were repurchased during the twelve months ended December 31, 2014. Detail regarding the 

Company's stock repurchase program are presented below:

Shares repurchased (b) ................................................................................
Cost, including commission (in thousands) ................................................ $
Total remaining shares available for repurchase at December 31, 2014.....

Since 1999
(a)

25,406,184

423,647

Authorized
Shares

393,816

______________________
(a)  Represents repurchased shares and cost since inception of the stock repurchase program in 1999.
(b)  Shares repurchased does not include 86,735 treasury shares related to employee compensation arrangements outside of the 

Company's repurchase programs. 

The Company may in the future make purchases of its common stock pursuant to its authorized program in open market 
transactions at prevailing prices and may engage in private transactions where appropriate. The repurchased shares will be available 
for issuance under employee benefit and stock incentive plans, or may be retired.

Dividend Policy

On December 30, 2014, the Company paid $11.3 million in quarterly cash dividends to shareholders. The Company paid a 
total of $44.6 million, $42.0 million and $38.9 million in cash dividends during the twelve months ended December 31, 2014, 
2013 and 2012, respectively. On January 29, 2015, the Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.28 per share 
payable on March 31, 2015 to shareholders of record on March 16, 2015. 

67

EL PASO ELECTRIC COMPANY
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share

FASB guidance requires the Company to include share-based compensation awards that qualify as participating securities 
in both basic and diluted earnings per share to the extent they are dilutive. A share-based compensation award is considered a 
participating security if it receives non-forfeitable dividends or may participate in undistributed earnings with common stock. The 
Company awards unvested restricted stock which qualifies as a participating security. The basic and diluted earnings per share are 
presented below: 

Years Ended December 31,
2013

2012

2014

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:

Basic number of common shares outstanding ...............................................
Dilutive effect of unvested performance awards ...................................
Dilutive effect of stock options ..............................................................
Diluted number of common shares outstanding ............................................

40,190,991
20,726
—
40,211,717

40,114,594
12,053
—
40,126,647

39,974,022
66,756
14,803
40,055,581

Basic net income per common share:

Net income ..................................................................................................... $
Income allocated to participating restricted stock .........................................

Net income available to common shareholders ...................................... $

Diluted net income per common share:

Net income ..................................................................................................... $
Income reallocated to participating restricted stock ......................................

Net income available to common shareholders ...................................... $

Basic net income per common share:

Distributed earnings ....................................................................................... $
Undistributed earnings ...................................................................................

Basic net income per common share ...................................................... $

Diluted net income per common share:

Distributed earnings ....................................................................................... $
Undistributed earnings ...................................................................................

Diluted net income per common share ................................................... $

91,428
(301)
91,127

91,428
(301)
91,127

1.105
1.165
2.270

1.105
1.165
2.270

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

88,583
(254)
88,329

88,583
(254)
88,329

1.045
1.155
2.200

1.045
1.155
2.200

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

$

90,846
(256)
90,590

90,846
(256)
90,590

0.97
1.30
2.27

0.97
1.29
2.26

The amount of restricted stock awards and performance shares at 100% performance level excluded from the calculation of 

the diluted number of common shares outstanding because their effect was antidilutive is presented below: 

Restricted stock awards ............................................

Year Ended December 31,
2013
51,489

2014
60,455

Performance shares (a) .............................................

96,208

115,044

2012
45,178

57,625

_____________________
(a)  Certain performance shares were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share as no payouts would have 

been required based upon performance at the end of each corresponding period. 

68

EL PASO ELECTRIC COMPANY
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

H.  

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

  Changes in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (net of tax) by component are presented below (in thousands):

Unrecognized
Pension and
Post-
retirement
Benefit Costs

Net Unrealized
Gains (Losses)
on Marketable
Securities

Net Losses on
Cash Flow
Hedges

Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)

Balance at December 31, 2012............................ $

(75,737) $

22,194

$

(12,541)

$

(66,084)

Other comprehensive income before

reclassifications..........................................
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other
comprehensive income (loss)...................
Balance at December 31, 2013............................
Other comprehensive income (loss) before

reclassifications..........................................

Amounts reclassified from accumulated other
comprehensive income (loss)...................

Balance at December 31, 2014............................ $

51,371

3,036
(21,330)

(12,628)

14,482

(436)
36,240

8,694

—

243
(12,298)

—

(926)
(34,884) $

(5,977)
38,957

$

224
(12,074)

$

65,853

2,843

2,612

(3,934)

(6,679)
(8,001)

69

EL PASO ELECTRIC COMPANY
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) for the twelve months ended December 31, 

2014 and 2013 are as follows ( in thousands):

Details about Accumulated Other
Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Components

2014

2013

Affected Line Item
in the Statement of
Operations

Amortization of pension and post-

retirement benefit costs:
Prior service benefit .............................
Net loss.................................................

Income tax effect..................................

$

7,659

$

(6,182)

1,477

(551)

926

5,560
(10,472)
(4,912)
1,876
(3,036)

(a)

(a)

(a)

(a)

Marketable securities:

Net realized gain on sale of securities..

7,350

553

Income tax effect..................................

Loss on cash flow hedge:

Amortization of loss.............................

Income tax effect..................................

7,350

(1,373)

5,977

(438)

(438)

214

(224)

Investment and
interest income, net
Income before
income taxes

Income tax expense

553
(117)
436 Net income

(411)

Interest on long-
term debt and RCF

Income before
income taxes

(411)
168
(243) Net income

Income tax expense

Total reclassifications...........................

$

6,679

$

(2,843)

   (a) These items are included in the computation of net periodic benefit cost.  See Note M, Employee Benefits, for 

additional information.

70

EL PASO ELECTRIC COMPANY
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

I. 

Long-Term Debt and Financing Obligations

Outstanding long-term debt and financing obligations are as follows:

December 31,

2014

2013

(In thousands)

Long-Term Debt:

Pollution Control Bonds (1):

7.25% 2009 Series A refunding bonds, due 2040 (7.46% effective interest rate)............ $
4.50% 2012 Series A refunding bonds, due 2042 (4.63% effective interest rate)............
7.25% 2009 Series B refunding bonds, due 2040 (7.49% effective interest rate)............
1.875% 2012 Series A refunding bonds, due 2032 (2.35% effective interest rate)..........
Total Pollution Control Bonds.................................................................................

Senior Notes (2):

6.00% Senior Notes, net of discount, due 2035 (7.12% effective interest rate)...............
7.50% Senior Notes, net of discount, due 2038 (7.67% effective interest rate)...............
3.30% Senior Notes, net of discount, due 2022 (3.43% effective interest rate)...............
5.00% Senior Notes, net of discount, due 2044 (5.10% effective interest rate)...............
Total Senior Notes...................................................................................................

RGRT Senior Notes (3):

$

63,500
59,235
37,100
33,300
193,135

398,021
148,818
149,737
149,468
846,044

3.67% Senior Notes, Series A, due 2015 (3.87% effective interest rate).........................
4.47% Senior Notes, Series B, due 2017 (4.62% effective interest rate).........................
5.04% Senior Notes, Series C, due 2020 (5.16% effective interest rate).........................
Total RGRT Senior Notes.......................................................................................
Total long-term debt.......................................................................................

15,000
50,000
45,000
110,000
1,149,179

63,500
59,235
37,100
33,300
193,135

397,976
148,800
149,709
—
696,485

15,000
50,000
45,000
110,000
999,620

Financing Obligations:

Revolving Credit Facility ($14,532 due in 2015) (4) ..............................................................
Total long-term debt and financing obligations......................................................

14,532
1,163,711

14,352
1,013,972

Current Portion (amount due within one year):

Current maturities of long term debt ................................................................................
Short-term borrowings under the revolving credit facility...............................................

(15,000)
(14,532)
$ 1,134,179

$

—
(14,352)
999,620

 _____________________
(1)  Pollution Control Bonds ("PCBs")

The Company has four series of tax exempt unsecured PCBs in aggregate principal amount of $193.1 million.  The 1.875% 
2012 Series A (El Paso Electric Company Four Corners Project) Pollution Control Refunding Revenue Bonds with an aggregate 
principal amount of $33.3 million are subject to mandatory tender for purchase in September 2017.

(2)  Senior Notes

The Senior Notes are unsecured obligations of the Company.  They were issued pursuant to bond covenants that provide 
limitations on the Company’s ability to enter into certain transactions.  The 6.00% Senior Notes have an aggregate principal 
amount of $400.0 million and were issued in May 2005.  The proceeds, net of a $2.3 million discount, were used to fund the 
retirement of the Company's first mortgage bonds.  The Company amortizes the loss associated with a cash flow hedge 
recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income to earnings as interest expense over the life of the 6.00% Senior Notes. 
See Note O, "Financial Instruments and Investments - Treasury Rate Locks".  This amortization is included in the effective 
interest rate of the 6.00% Senior Notes. 

71

EL PASO ELECTRIC COMPANY
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The 7.50% Senior Notes have an aggregate principal amount of $150.0 million and were issued in June 2008.  The proceeds, 
net of a $1.3 million discount, were used to repay short-term borrowings of $44.0 million, fund capital expenditures and for 
other general corporate purposes.

The 3.30% Senior Notes have an aggregate principal amount of $150.0 million and were issued in December 2012.  The 
proceeds, net of a $0.3 million discount, were used to fund construction expenditures and for working capital and general 
corporate purposes.

The 5.00% Senior Notes have an aggregate principal amount of $150.0 million and were issued in December 2014.  The 
proceeds, net of a $0.5 million discount, were used to fund construction expenditures and for working capital and general 
corporate purposes.

(3)  RGRT Senior Notes

In 2010, the Company and RGRT, a Texas grantor trust through which the Company finances its portion of fuel for Palo Verde, 
entered into a note purchase agreement with various institutional purchasers.  Under the terms of the agreement, RGRT sold 
to the purchasers $110 million aggregate principal amount of Senior Notes (the "Notes") of which $15.0 million will mature 
in August 2015. The Company will either repay or refinance this $15.0 million of Notes upon maturity. The Company guarantees 
the payment of principal and interest on the Notes.  In the Company’s financial statements, the assets and liabilities of the 
RGRT are reported as assets and liabilities of the Company.

RGRT pays interest on the Notes on February 15, and August 15 of each year until maturity.  RGRT may redeem the Notes, 
in whole or in part, at any time at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount to be redeemed together with the 
interest on such principal amount accrued to the date of redemption, plus a make-whole amount based on the prevailing market 
interest rates.  The agreement requires compliance with certain covenants, including a total debt to capitalization ratio.  The 
Company was in compliance with these requirements throughout 2014.

The sale of the Notes was made by RGRT in reliance on a private placement exemption from registration under the Securities 
Act of 1933, as amended.  The proceeds of $109.4 million, net of issuance costs, from the sale of the Notes was used by 
RGRT to repay amounts borrowed under the revolving credit facility and will enable future nuclear fuel financing requirements 
of RGRT to be met with a combination of the Notes and amounts borrowed from the RCF.

(4)  Revolving Credit Facility

On January 14, 2014, the Company and RGRT entered into a second amended and restated credit agreement related to the 
RCF with JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent and issuing bank, and Union Bank, N.A., as syndication 
agent, and various lending banks party thereto.  Under the terms of the agreement, the Company has available $300 million 
and the ability to increase the RCF by up to $100 million (up to a total of $400 million) upon the satisfaction of certain 
conditions, more fully set forth in the agreement, including obtaining commitments from lenders or third party financial 
institutions. The RCF has a term ending January 2019.  The Company may extend the maturity date up to two times, in each 
case for an additional one year period upon the satisfaction of certain conditions.

The RCF provides that amounts borrowed by the Company may be used for, among other things, working capital and general 
corporate  purposes.   Any  amounts  borrowed  by  RGRT  may be  used,  among  other  things,  to  finance the  acquisition  and 
processing of nuclear fuel.  Amounts borrowed by RGRT are guaranteed by the Company and the balance borrowed under 
the RCF is recorded as short-term borrowings on the balance sheet.  The RCF is unsecured.  The RCF requires compliance 
with certain covenants, including a total debt to capitalization ratio.  The Company was in compliance with these requirements 
throughout 2014.  As of December 31, 2014, the total amount borrowed by RGRT was  $14.5 million for nuclear fuel under 
the RCF.  As of December 31, 2014, no borrowings were outstanding under this facility for working capital and general 
corporate purposes.  The weighted average interest rate on the RCF was 1.3% as of December 31, 2014.

72

EL PASO ELECTRIC COMPANY
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

As of December 31, 2014, the scheduled maturities for the next five years of long-term debt are as follows (in thousands): 

2015....................................................... $
2016.......................................................
2017.......................................................
2018.......................................................
2019.......................................................

15,000
—
83,300
—
—

The $14.5 million outstanding on the RCF for nuclear fuel financing purposes is anticipated to be paid in 2015.

J. 

Income Taxes

The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant portions of the deferred tax assets and liabilities at 

December 31, 2014 and 2013 are presented below (in thousands):

December 31,

2014

2013

Deferred tax assets:

Benefit of tax loss carryforwards ............................................................................................ $
Alternative minimum tax credit carryforward.........................................................................
Pensions and benefits ..............................................................................................................
Asset retirement obligation......................................................................................................
Other ........................................................................................................................................
Total gross deferred tax assets..........................................................................................

— $

17,701
64,407
25,725
15,768
123,601

17,709
21,638
54,652
23,727
14,485
132,211

Deferred tax liabilities:

Plant, principally due to depreciation and basis differences ...................................................
Decommissioning ....................................................................................................................
Deferred fuel............................................................................................................................
Other ........................................................................................................................................
Total gross deferred tax liabilities ....................................................................................

Net accumulated deferred income taxes ................................................................. $

(536,264)
(40,373)
(3,531)
(3,630)
(583,798)
(460,197) $

(511,847)
(35,489)
(2,171)
(5,664)
(555,171)
(422,960)

Based on the average annual book income before taxes for the prior three years, excluding the effects of unusual or infrequent 

items, the Company believes that the deferred tax assets will be fully realized at current levels of book and taxable income.

73

EL PASO ELECTRIC COMPANY
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The Company recognized income tax expense for 2014, 2013 and 2012 as follows (in thousands): 

Years Ended December 31,

2014

2013

2012

Income tax expense:

Federal:

Current .................................................................................................... $
Deferred ..................................................................................................
Total federal income tax................................................................

State:

Current ....................................................................................................
Deferred ..................................................................................................
Total state income tax....................................................................
Generation (amortization) of accumulated investment tax credits ................

Total income tax expense............................................................... $

(1,250) $
38,810
37,560

3,209
641
3,850
(322)
41,088

$

(2,877) $
45,024
42,147

1,854
(414)
1,440
68
43,655

$

1,487
43,187
44,674

1,931
697
2,628
(323)
46,979

 As of December 31, 2014, the Company had $17.7 million of AMT credit carryforwards that have an unlimited life. As  of 

December 31, 2014, the Company has utilized all of the federal and state tax loss carryfowards. 

Income tax provisions differ from amounts computed by applying the statutory federal income tax rate of 35% to book 

income before federal income tax as follows (in thousands):

Federal income tax expense computed on income at statutory rate...................... $
Difference due to:

State taxes, net of federal benefit...................................................................
AEFUDC .......................................................................................................

Permanent tax differences..............................................................................
Other ..............................................................................................................

Total income tax expense............................................................... $

Years Ended December 31,

2014
46,381

2013
46,283

$

2012
48,239

$

1,902

(3,757)
(2,921)
(517)
41,088

$

936

(2,149)
(1,153)
(262)
43,655

$

1,708

(1,845)
(604)
(519)
46,979

Effective income tax rate ......................................................................................

31.0%

33.0%

34.1%

The Company files income tax returns in the United States ("U.S.") federal jurisdiction and in the states of Texas, New Mexico 
and Arizona. The Company is no longer subject to tax examination by the taxing authorities in the federal and New Mexico 
jurisdictions for years prior to 2010.  The Company is currently under audit in Texas for tax years 2007 through 2011 and in 
Arizona for tax years 2009 through 2012.  The Company reached a settlement agreement with the Arizona Department of Revenue 
(“ADOR”) in March 2014 in their audit of income tax returns for the years 1998 through 2007 which did not have a material effect 
on income tax expense.  Additionally, the Company reached a settlement with ADOR in September of 2014 in their audit of the 
income tax return for 2008 which did not have a material effect on income tax expense.

On December 19, 2014, the President signed the Tax Increase Prevention Act of 2014. This act included the extension of 
bonus depreciation which impacted the Company. The Company recorded the impact of the law change in December 2014, which 
resulted in an $0.8 million increase in income tax expense due to a decrease in the domestic production activities deduction which 
is limited by taxable income.

FASB guidance prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and 
measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return.  In January 2010, the Company filed for a change of 
accounting method with the IRS related to the way in which units of property are determined for purposes of determining capitalized 
tax assets.  The change was included in the 2009 federal income tax return, with additional amounts included in the 2010 to 2013 
federal income tax returns.  The Company recorded an unrecognized tax position of $1.6 million in 2012, related to the change 
in accounting method in 2009 through 2012.  In 2013, a $4.5 million decrease was made to the reserve related to the change in 
accounting method.  The decrease was primarily the result of the completion of IRS audits for tax years 2009 to 2012.  In September 

74

EL PASO ELECTRIC COMPANY
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

2014, the Company received an Issue Resolution Agreement (“IRA”) from IRS regarding the generation repairs deduction for all 
years.    In  the  IRA,  the  IRS  declared  that  the  method  used  by  the  Company  to  calculate the  generation  repair  deduction  was 
substantially the same as the method outlined in the Revenue Procedure and declared that therefore no adjustment to the deduction 
taken in previous tax returns by the Company was required.  As a result of the IRA, the Company recorded a $2.8 million decrease 
to eliminate the balance of the reserve related to the change in accounting method.  The Company recorded an unrecognized tax 
position of $2.1 million, $0.5 million and $1.4 million in 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively, related to depreciation and other 
amounts deducted in current and prior year Texas franchise tax returns.  The Company recorded a decrease of $1.3 million (net 
of an increase of $0.4 million) to its unrecognized tax position in 2014 and an increase of $1.3 million (net of a decrease of $0.4 
million) in 2013 related to tax credits taken in prior year Arizona income tax returns, which have been settled through audit.  A 
reconciliation of the December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012 amount of unrecognized tax benefits is as follows (in thousands):

Balance at January 1 ............................................................................................. $
Additions for tax positions related to the current year...................................
Reductions for tax positions related to the current year ................................
Additions for tax positions of prior years ......................................................
Reductions for tax positions of prior years ....................................................
Balance at December 31 ....................................................................................... $

7,200
300
—
2,200
(4,500)
5,200

$

$

9,800
600
—
1,700
(4,900)
7,200

$

$

9,500
1,600
(900)
1,400
(1,800)
9,800

2014

2013

2012

If recognized, $3.0 million of the unrecognized tax position at December 31, 2014, would affect the effective tax rate. The 
Company recognized income tax expense for an unrecognized tax position of $0.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2014. 

The Company recognizes in tax expense interest and penalties related to tax benefits that have not been recognized. During 
the year ended December 31, 2012, the Company recognized a benefit of $0.3 million in interest.  For the years ended December 31, 
2014  and  2013,  the  Company  recognized  interest  expense  of  $0.1  million  and  $0.2  million,  respectively. The  Company  had 
approximately $0.5 million and $0.4 million accrued for the payment of interest and penalties at December 31, 2014 and 2013, 
respectively. 

75

EL PASO ELECTRIC COMPANY
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

K. 

Commitments, Contingencies and Uncertainties

Power Purchase and Sale Contracts

To supplement its own generation and operating reserves and to meet required renewable portfolio standards, the Company 
engages in power purchase arrangements which may vary in duration and amount based on evaluation of the Company’s resource 
needs, the economics of the transactions, and specific renewable portfolio requirements. The Company has entered into the following 
significant agreements with various counterparties for forward purchases and sales of electricity:

Type of Contract

Counterparty

Quantity

Term

Power Purchase and Sale Agreement .

Power Purchase and Sale Agreement .

Freeport

Freeport

Power Purchase Agreement................

Hatch Solar Energy Center
I, LLC

25 MW

December 2008 through December
2015

100 MW

June 2006 through December 2021

5 MW

July 2011 through June 2036

July 2011

Commercial

Operation

Date

N/A

N/A

Power Purchase Agreement................

NRG

20 MW

August 2011 through August 2031

August 2011

Power Purchase Agreement................

Power Purchase Agreement................

Sun Edison 1

Sun Edison 2

10 MW

12 MW

June 2012 through June 2037

May 2012 through May 2037

June 2012

 May 2012

Power Purchase Agreement................

Macho Springs Solar, LLC

50 MW

May 2014 through April 2034

May 2014

Power Purchase Agreement................

PSEG El Paso Solar
Energy Center

10 MW

December 2014 through November
2044

December 2014

The Company has a firm Power Purchase and Sale Agreement with Freeport-McMoran Copper and Gold Energy Services 
LLC ("Freeport") which provides for Freeport to deliver energy to the Company from its ownership interest in the Luna Energy 
Facility (a natural gas-fired combined cycle generation facility located in Luna County, New Mexico) and for the Company to 
deliver a like amount of energy at Greenlee, Arizona. The Company may purchase the quantities noted in the table above at a 
specified price at times when energy is not exchanged under the Power Purchase and Sale Agreement. Upon mutual agreement, 
the contract allows the parties to increase the amount of energy that is purchased and sold under the Power Purchase and Sale 
Agreement. The parties have agreed to increase the amount up to 125 MW through December 2015. The contract was approved 
by  the  FERC  and  continues  through  December 31,  2021.  On  December  30,  2014,  the  FERC  issued  an  order  authorizing  the 
disposition, i.e. sale, of Freeport's interest in the Luna facility to Samchully Power & Utilities 1, LLC.  Freeport will retain the 
ability to purchase up to the full amount of its previous ownership share of the Luna facility of approximately 190 MW, thereby 
continuing to fulfill its obligations pursuant to the Power Purchase and Sale Agreement.

  The Company has a 25-year purchase power agreement with Hatch Solar Energy Center I, LLC to purchase all of the 
output from a solar photovoltaic plant located in southern New Mexico which began commercial operation in July 2011. The 
Company entered into a 20-year contract with NRG Solar Roadrunner LLC ("NRG") to purchase all of the output of a solar 
photovoltaic plant built in southern New Mexico which began commercial operation in August 2011. The Company has 25-year 
purchase power agreements to purchase all of the output of two additional solar photovoltaic plants located in southern New 
Mexico, SunEdison 1 and SunEdison 2 which began commercial operation on June 25, 2012 and May 2, 2012, respectively. The 
Company entered into these contracts to help meet its renewable portfolio requirements. The Company has a 20-year purchase 
power agreement with Macho Springs Solar, LLC to purchase the entire generation output delivered from the 50 MW Macho 
Springs solar photovoltaic plant located in Luna County, New Mexico which began commercial operation on  May 23, 2014. The 
Company has a 30-year purchase power agreement with PSEG El Paso Solar Energy Center ("PSEG") to purchase the total output 
of approximately 10 MW from a solar photovoltaic plant that PSEG owns and operates on land subleased from the Company in 
proximity to its Newman Power Station. This solar photovoltaic plant began commercial operation on December 30, 2014.   

The Company entered into an agreement in 2009 to purchase capacity and unit contingent energy during 2010 from Shell 
Energy North America ("Shell"). Under the agreement, the Company provided natural gas to Pyramid Unit No. 4 where Shell had 
the right to convert natural gas to electric energy. The Company entered into a contract with Shell on May 17, 2010 to extend the 
term of the capacity and unit contingent energy purchase from January 1, 2011 through September 30, 2014.

76

EL PASO ELECTRIC COMPANY
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Environmental Matters

General. The Company is subject to extensive laws, regulations and permit requirements with respect to air and greenhouse 
gas emissions, water discharges, soil and water quality, waste management and disposal, natural resources and other environmental 
matters by federal, state, regional, tribal and local authorities. Failure to comply with such laws, regulations and requirements can 
result in actions by authorities or other third parties that might seek to impose on the Company administrative, civil and/or criminal 
penalties or other sanctions. In addition, releases of pollutants or contaminants into the environment can result in costly cleanup 
liabilities.  These  laws,  regulations  and  requirements  are  subject  to  change  through  modification  or  reinterpretation,  or  the 
introduction of new laws and regulations and, as a result, the Company may face additional capital and operating costs to comply. 
Certain key environmental issues, laws and regulations facing the Company are described further below.  

Air Emissions. The U.S. Clean Air Act ("CAA"), associated regulations and comparable state and local laws and regulations 
relating to air emissions impose, among other obligations, limitations on pollutants generated during the operations of the Company's 
facilities and assets, including sulfur dioxide ("SO2"), particulate matter ("PM"), nitrogen oxides ("NOx") and mercury.  

Clean Air Interstate Rule/Cross State Air Pollution Rule. The EPA promulgated the Cross-State Air Pollution Rule ("CSAPR") 
in August 2011, which rule involves requirements to limit emissions of NOx and SO2 from certain of the Company's power plants 
in Texas and/or purchase allowances representing other parties' emissions reductions. CSAPR was intended to replace the EPA's 
2005 Clean Air Interstate Rule ("CAIR"). While the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit ("D.C. Circuit") 
vacated CSAPR in August 2012 and allowed CAIR to stand until the EPA issued a proper replacement, on April 29, 2014, the U.S. 
Supreme Court reversed and upheld CSAPR, remanding certain portions of CSAPR to the D.C. Circuit for further consideration. 
On June 26, 2014, the EPA filed a motion asking the D.C. Circuit to lift its stay on CSAPR. On October 23, 2014, the D.C. Circuit 
lifted its stay of CSAPR, and while we are unable to determine the full impact of the reinstatement of CSAPR until the D.C. Circuit 
and the EPA take further action, the Company believes it is currently positioned to comply with CSAPR.  

National Ambient Air Quality Standards.  Under the CAA, the EPA sets National Ambient Air Quality Standards ("NAAQS") 
for six criteria pollutants considered harmful to public health and the environment, including PM, NOx, carbon monoxide ("CO"), 
ozone and SO2.  NAAQS must be reviewed by the EPA at five-year intervals. In 2010, the EPA tightened the NAAQS for both 
NOx and SO2. The EPA is considering a 1-hour secondary NAAQS for NOx and SO2. In January 2013, the EPA tightened the 
NAAQS for fine PM. On November 26, 2014, the EPA announced a proposal to tighten the 2008 primary and secondary ground-
level ozone NAAQS. Ozone is the main component of smog. While not directly emitted into the air, it forms from precursors, 
including NOx and volatile organic compounds, in combination with sunlight. EPA proposes to tighten the current 8-hour primary 
(health-based) standard of 75 parts per billion ("ppb") to a level within its preferred range of 65 to 70 ppb, while also taking 
comment on a potential standard as low as 60 ppb and on retaining the current standard. The EPA intends to issue a final rule by 
October 2015.The Company continues to evaluate what impact these final and proposed NAAQS could have on its operations. If 
the Company is required to install additional equipment to control emissions at its facilities, the revised NAAQS could have a 
material impact on its operations and financial results.  

Utility MACT.  The operation of coal-fired power plants, such as Four Corners, results in emissions of mercury and other air 
toxics. In December 2011, the EPA finalized Mercury and Air Toxics Standards (known as the "Utility MACT") for oil-and coal-
fired power plants, which requires significant reductions in emissions of mercury and other air toxics. Several judicial and other 
challenges have been made to this rule, with a U.S. Supreme Court decision expected this year. These challenges notwithstanding, 
companies impacted by the new standards will generally have up to three years to comply. Information from the Four Corners 
plant  operator, APS,  indicates  that APS  currently  believes  Units  4  and  5  will  require  no  additional  modifications  to  achieve 
compliance with the Utility MACT standards.    

Other Laws and Regulations and Risks. As stated above, the Company has entered into an agreement to sell its interest in 
Four Corners to APS at the expiration of the 50-year participation agreement in July 2016. The Company believes that it has better 
economic and cleaner alternatives for serving the energy needs of its customers than coal-fired generation, which is subject to 
extensive regulation and litigation. By ceasing its participation in Four Corners, the Company will avoid the significant cost 
required to install expensive pollution control equipment in order to continue operation of the plant as well as the risks of water 
availability that might adversely affect the amount of power available, or the price thereof, from Four Corners in the future. The 
closing of the transaction is subject to the receipt of regulatory approvals.

Climate Change. The U.S. federal government has either considered, proposed and/or finalized legislation or regulations 
limiting GHG emissions, including carbon dioxide. In particular, the U.S. Congress has considered legislation to restrict or regulate 
GHG emissions. In the past few years, the EPA began using the CAA to regulate carbon dioxide and other GHG emissions, such 
as the 2009 GHG Reporting Rule and the EPA’s sulfur hexafluoride ("SF6") reporting rule, both of which apply to the Company, 
77

EL PASO ELECTRIC COMPANY
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

as well as the EPA’s 2010 actions to impose permitting requirements on new and modified sources of GHG emissions. After 
announcing his plan to address climate change in 2013, the President directed the EPA to issue proposals for GHG rulemaking 
addressing power plants. In January 2014, the EPA published a proposal to establish new source performance standards limiting 
carbon dioxide emissions from new electric generating units, and in June 2014, a proposal to create carbon dioxide standards for 
existing and modified/reconstructed power plants. The Company participated in the associated proposed rulemaking comment 
periods. On January 7, 2015, EPA announced it plans to issue final rules for new, existing and modified/reconstructed power plants 
by this summer. Given the very significant remaining uncertainties regarding these EPA rules, the Company believes it is impossible 
to meaningfully quantify the costs of these potential requirements at present.   

 In addition, almost half the U.S. states, either individually and/or through multi-state regional initiatives, have begun to 
consider how to address GHG emissions and have developed, or are actively considering the development of emission inventories 
or regional GHG cap and trade programs.  While a significant portion of the Company's generation assets are nuclear or gas-fired, 
and as a result, the Company believes that its greenhouse gas emissions are low relative to electric power companies who rely 
more on coal-fired generation, current and future legislation and regulation of GHGs or any future related litigation could impose 
significant costs and/or operating restrictions on the Company, reduced demand for the power the Company generates and/or 
require the Company to purchase rights to emit GHGs, any of which could be material to the Company's business, financial 
condition, reputation or results of operations.  

Climate change also has potential physical effects that could be relevant to the Company's business. In particular, some 
studies suggest that climate change could affect the Company's service area by causing higher temperatures, less winter precipitation 
and less spring runoff, as well as by causing more extreme weather events. Such developments could change the demand for power 
in the region and could also impact the price or ready availability of water supplies or affect maintenance needs and the reliability 
of Company equipment. The Company believes that material effects on the Company's business or results of operations may result 
from the physical consequences of climate change, the regulatory approach to climate change ultimately selected and implemented 
by governmental authorities, or both. Given the very significant remaining uncertainties regarding whether and how these issues 
will be regulated, as well as the timing and severity of any physical effects of climate change, the Company believes it is impossible 
to meaningfully quantify the costs of these potential impacts at present. 

Environmental  Litigation  and  Investigations.  Since  2009,  the  EPA  and  certain  environmental  organizations  have  been 
scrutinizing, and in some cases, have filed lawsuits, relating to certain air emissions and air permitting matters related to Four 
Corners. In particular, since July 2011, the U.S. Department of Justice (the "DOJ"), on behalf of the EPA, and APS have been 
engaged in substantive settlement negotiations in an effort to resolve certain of the pending matters. The allegations being addressed 
through settlement negotiations are that APS failed to obtain the necessary permits and install the controls necessary under the 
CAA to reduce SO2, NOx, and PM, and that defendants failed to obtain an operating permit under Title V of the CAA that reflects 
applicable requirements imposed by law. In November 2014, the DOJ provided APS with a draft consent decree to settle the EPA 
matter, which decree contains specific provisions for the reduction and control of NOx, SO2, and PM, as well as provisions for a 
civil penalty, and expenditures on environmental mitigation projects with an emphasis on projects that address alleged harm to 
the Navajo Nation. Settlement discussions are on-going and the Company is unable to predict with certainty the final outcome of 
these settlement negotiations. The Company has accrued a total of $0.6 million as its estimated share of the loss contingency 
related to this matter.  

Earthjustice filed a lawsuit in the United States District Court for New Mexico on October 4, 2011 for alleged violations of 
the Prevention of Significant Deterioration ("PSD") provisions of the CAA related to Four Corners. On January 6, 2012, Earthjustice 
filed a First Amended Complaint adding claims for violations of the CAA's New Source Performance Standards ("NSPS") program. 
Among other things, the plaintiffs seek to have the court enjoin operations at Four Corners until APS applies for and obtains any 
required PSD permits and complies with the referenced NSPS program. The plaintiffs further request the court to order the payment 
of civil penalties, including a beneficial mitigation project. On April 2, 2012, APS and the other Four Corners participants filed 
motions to dismiss with the court.  The case is being held in abeyance while the parties seek to negotiate a settlement.  On March 
30, 2013, upon joint motion of the parties, the court issued an order deeming the motions to dismiss withdrawn without prejudice 
during pendency of the stay.  At such time as the stay is lifted, APS, the Company and the other Four Corners participants may 
reinstate the motions to dismiss. Settlement discussions are ongoing. The Company is unable to predict the outcome of this litigation. 

New Mexico Tax Matter Related to Coal Supplied to Four Corners

On May 23, 2013, the New Mexico Taxation and Revenue Department issued a notice of assessment for coal severance 
surtax, penalty, and interest totaling approximately $30 million related to coal supplied under the coal supply agreement for Four 
Corners (the "Assessment"). The Company's share of the assessment is approximately $1.5 million. On behalf of the Four Corners 

78

EL PASO ELECTRIC COMPANY
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

participants, the coal supplier made a partial payment of the Assessment and immediately filed a refund claim with respect to that 
partial payment in August 2013. The New Mexico Taxation and Revenue Department denied the refund claim.  On December 19, 
2013, the coal supplier and APS, on its own behalf and as operating agent for Four Corners, filed complaints with the New Mexico 
District Court contesting both the validity of the Assessment and the refund claim denial. APS believes the Assessment and the 
refund claim denial are without merit. The Company cannot predict the timing, results, or potential impacts of the outcome of this 
litigation.

Lease Agreements

The Company leases land in El Paso adjacent to the Newman Power Station under a lease which expires in June 2033 with 
a renewal option of 25 years. In addition, the Company leases certain warehouse facilities in El Paso under a lease which expires 
in December 2015. The Company also has several other leases for office, parking facilities and equipment which expire within 
the next  three years . The Company has transmission and distribution lines which are operated under various property easement 
agreements.  The  majority  of  these  easements  include  renewal  options  which  the  Company  routinely  exercises.  These  lease 
agreements do not impose any restrictions relating to issuance of additional debt, payment of dividends or entering into other lease 
arrangements. The Company has no significant capital lease agreements.

The Company's total annual rental expense related to operating leases was $1.8 million, $1.2 million, and $1.3 million for 
2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. As of December 31, 2014, the Company’s minimum future rental payments for the next five 
years are as follows (in thousands):

2015................................................. $
2016.................................................
2017.................................................
2018.................................................
2019.................................................

1,386
838
623
512
516

L. 

Litigation

The Company is a party to various legal actions. In many of these matters, the Company has excess casualty liability insurance 
that covers the various claims, actions and complaints. Based upon a review of these claims and applicable insurance coverage, 
the Company believes that none of these claims will have a material adverse effect on the financial position, results of operations 
or cash flows of the Company. The Company expenses legal costs, including expenses related to loss contingencies, as they are 
incurred.

See Note C and Note K for discussion of the effects of government legislation and regulation on the Company as well as 

certain pending legal proceedings. 

79

EL PASO ELECTRIC COMPANY
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

M. 

Employee Benefits

Retirement Plans

The Company’s Retirement Income Plan (the "Retirement Plan") is a qualified noncontributory defined benefit plan. Upon 
retirement or death of a vested plan participant, assets of the Retirement Plan are used to pay benefit obligations under the Retirement 
Plan.  Contributions from the Company are at least the minimum funding amounts required by the IRS, as actuarially calculated. 
The assets of the Retirement Plan are primarily invested in common collective trusts which hold equity securities, debt securities 
and cash equivalents and are managed by a professional investment manager appointed by the Company.

The Company has two non-qualified retirement plans that are non-funded defined benefit plans. The Company's Supplemental 
Retirement Plan covers certain former employees and directors of the Company. The Excess Benefit Plan, was adopted in 2004 
and covers certain active and former employees of the Company. The benefit cost for the non-qualified retirement plans are based 
on substantially the same actuarial methods and economic assumptions as those used for the Retirement Plan.

During the quarter ended March 31, 2014, the Company implemented certain amendments to the Retirement Plan and Excess 
Benefit Plan. In the first quarter of 2014, the Company offered a cash balance pension plan as an alternative to its current final 
average pay pension plan for employees hired prior to January 1, 2014.  The cash balance pension plan also included an enhanced 
employer matching contribution to the employee’s respective 401(k) Defined Contribution Plan (discussed below).  For employees 
that elected the new cash balance feature of the plans, the pension benefit earned under the existing final average pay feature of 
the plans was frozen as of March 31, 2014.  Employees hired after January 1, 2014 are automatically enrolled in the cash balance 
pension plan. The amendments to the plans were effective April 1, 2014. As a result of these actions, the Company remeasured 
the assets and liabilities of the plans, based on actuarially determined estimates, using the close of the alternative choice election 
period of February 28, 2014, as the remeasurement date.

Prior to December 31, 2013, employees who completed one year of service with the Company and worked at least a minimum 
number of hours each year were covered by the final average pay formula of the plan. For participants that continue to be covered 
by the final average pay formula, retirement benefits are based on the employee’s final average pay and years of service. The cash 
balance pension plan covers employees beginning on their employment commencement date or re-employment commencement 
date in any plan year in which the employee completes at least a minimum number of hours of service. Retirement benefits under 
the cash balance pension plan are based on the employee’s cash balance account, consisting of pay credits and interest credits.

The Company complies with FASB guidance on disclosure for pension and other post-retirement plans that requires disclosure 
of  investment  policies  and  strategies,  categories  of  investment  and  fair  value  measurements  of  plan  assets,  and  significant 
concentrations of risk.

80

EL PASO ELECTRIC COMPANY
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The obligations and funded status of the plans are presented below (in thousands):

December 31,

2014

2013

Retirement
Income
Plan

Non-Qualified
Retirement
Plans

Retirement
Income
Plan

Non-Qualified
Retirement
Plans

Change in projected benefit obligation:

Benefit obligation at end of prior year................ $
Service cost.........................................................
Interest cost.........................................................
Amendments (a)..................................................
Actuarial (gain) loss............................................
Benefits paid .......................................................
Benefit obligation at end of year .................

Change in plan assets:

Fair value of plan assets at end of prior year ......
Actual return on plan assets................................
Employer contribution ........................................
Benefits paid .......................................................
Fair value of plan assets at end of year........
Funded status at end of year ........................ $

$

317,815
8,284
14,001
(33,700)
50,741
(16,008)
341,133

257,831
22,116
9,000
(16,008)
272,939
(68,194) $

$

25,898
303
1,041
(500)
3,508
(1,853)
28,397

—
—
1,853
(1,853)
—
(28,397) $

$

320,846
9,137
12,742
—
(15,373)
(9,537)
317,815

220,568
31,800
15,000
(9,537)
257,831
(59,984) $

27,241
190
872
—
(533)
(1,872)
25,898

—
—
1,872
(1,872)
—
(25,898)

_____________________
(a) Amendments relate to the modification of the Company’s Retirement Plan and Excess Benefit Plan discussed above.

Amounts recognized in the Company's balance sheets consist of the following (in thousands): 

December 31,

2014

2013

Retirement
Income
Plan

Non-Qualified
Retirement
Plans

Retirement
Income
Plan

Non-Qualified
Retirement
Plans

Current liabilities ......................................................................... $
Noncurrent liabilities ...................................................................

Total...................................................................................... $

— $

(68,194)
(68,194) $

(2,319) $
(26,078)
(28,397) $

— $

(59,984)
(59,984) $

(1,870)
(24,028)
(25,898)

The accumulated benefit obligation in excess of plan assets is as follows (in thousands): 

December 31,

2014

2013

Retirement
Income
Plan
(341,133) $
(312,762)
272,939

Non-Qualified
Retirement
Plans

(28,397) $
(27,603)
—

Retirement
Income
Plan
(317,815) $
(275,555)
257,831

Non-Qualified
Retirement
Plans

(25,898)
(25,077)
—

Projected benefit obligation......................................................... $
Accumulated benefit obligation ..................................................
Fair value of plan assets ..............................................................

81

EL PASO ELECTRIC COMPANY
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income consist of the following (in thousands): 

Net loss ........................................................................................ $
Prior service cost (benefit)...........................................................

Total...................................................................................... $

Years Ended December 31,

2014

2013

Retirement
Income
Plan
124,407
(30,811)
93,596

Non-Qualified
Retirement
Plans

Retirement
Income
Plan

Non-Qualified
Retirement
Plans

$

$

11,341
(264)
11,077

$

$

85,261
—
85,261

$

$

8,508
219
8,727

The following are the weighted-average actuarial assumptions used to determine the benefit obligations: 

December 31,

2014

Non-Qualified

2013

Non-Qualified

Retirement
Income
Plan

Supplemental
Retirement
Plan

Excess
Benefit
Plan

Retirement
Income
Plan

Supplemental
Retirement
Plan

Excess
Benefit
Plan

Discount rate ............................
Rate of compensation increase .

4.0%
4.5%

3.4%
N/A

4.1%
4.5%

4.9%
4.75%

3.9%
N/A

4.9%
4.75%

The Company reassesses various actuarial assumptions at least on an annual basis. The discount rate is reviewed at each 
measurement date. The discount rate used to measure obligations is based on a spot rate yield curve that matches projected future 
payments with the appropriate interest rate applicable to the timing of the projected future benefit payments.  A 1% increase in 
the discount rate would decrease the December 31, 2014 retirement plans' projected benefit obligation by 11.7%.  A 1% decrease 
in the discount rate would increase the December 31, 2014 retirement plans' projected benefit obligation by 14.6%.

The components of net periodic benefit cost are presented below (in thousands):

Years Ended December 31,

2014

2013

2012

Retirement
Income
Plan

Non-Qualified
Retirement
Plans

Retirement
Income
Plan

Non-Qualified
Retirement
Plans

Retirement
Income
Plan

Non-Qualified
Retirement
Plans

$

8,284
14,001
(18,699)

$

303
1,041
—

$

9,137
12,742
(17,108)

8,178
(2,889)

675
(17)

10,437
3

190
872
—

661
94

$

$

8,530
12,594
(14,443)

10,729
21

299
963
—

627
94

8,875

$

2,002

$

15,211

$

1,817

$

17,431

$

1,983

Service cost .............................. $
Interest cost ..............................
Expected return on plan assets.
Amortization of:

Net loss .............................
Prior service cost (benefit)
Net periodic benefit
cost............................. $

82

EL PASO ELECTRIC COMPANY
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The changes in benefit obligations recognized in other comprehensive income are presented below (in thousands): 

2014

2013

2012

Years Ended December 31,

Net (gain) loss .......................... $
Prior service benefit .................
Amortization of:

Net loss..............................
Prior service (cost) benefit
Total recognized in other
comprehensive income...... $

Retirement
Income
Plan

Non-Qualified
Retirement
Plans

$

47,324
(33,700)

$

3,508
(500)

Retirement
Income
Plan
(30,065) $
—

Non-Qualified
Retirement
Plans

Retirement
Income
Plan

Non-Qualified
Retirement
Plans

(533) $
—

$

6,672
—

1,337
—

(8,178)
2,889

(675)
17

(10,437)
(3)

(661)
(94)

(10,729)
(21)

(627)
(94)

8,335

$

2,350

$

(40,505) $

(1,288) $

(4,078) $

616

The total amount recognized in net periodic benefit costs and other comprehensive income are presented below (in 

thousands): 

Years Ended December 31,

2014

2013

2012

Retirement
Income
Plan

Non-Qualified
Retirement
Plans

Retirement
Income
Plan

Non-Qualified
Retirement
Plans

Retirement
Income
Plan

Non-Qualified
Retirement
Plans

Total recognized in net
periodic benefit cost and other
comprehensive income ............. $

17,210

$

4,352

$

(25,294) $

529

$

13,353

$

2,599

The following are amounts in accumulated other comprehensive income that are expected to be recognized as 

components of net periodic benefit cost during 2015 (in thousands): 

Retirement
Income
Plan

Non-Qualified
Retirement
Plans

Net loss ........................................................................................................................................... $
Prior service benefit........................................................................................................................

$

10,220
(3,470)

850
(40)

  The following are the weighted-average actuarial assumptions used to determine the net periodic benefit cost for the 

twelve months ended December 31: 

2014 (a)

Non-Qualified

2013

Non-Qualified

2012

Non-Qualified

Retirement
Income
Plan

Supplemental 
Retirement
Plan

Excess
Benefit
Plan

Retirement
Income
Plan

Supplemental 
Retirement
Plan

Excess
Benefit
Plan

Retirement
Income
Plan

Supplemental 
Retirement
Plan

Excess
Benefit
Plan

4.9%

3.9% 4.9%

4.0%

3.1%

4.0%

4.3%

3.6%

4.1%

7.5%

N/A

N/A

7.5%

N/A

N/A

7.5%

N/A

N/A

4.75%

N/A 4.75%

4.75%

N/A

4.75%

5.0%

N/A

5.0%

Discount rate......

Expected long-
term return on
plan assets..........

Rate of
compensation
increase ..............

 _____________________
(a)  The Retirement Plan and the Excess Benefit Plan were remeasured on February 28, 2014 due to the above mentioned plan 
amendment. The discount rate used to remeasure the benefit obligation was 4.6% for the Retirement Plan and 4.5% for the 
Excess Benefit Plan, compared to 4.9% for both plans as of January 1, 2014. All other assumptions remained consistent 
with assumptions used at January 1, 2014.

83

EL PASO ELECTRIC COMPANY
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The Company’s overall expected long-term rate of return on assets is 7.5% effective January 1, 2014, which is both a pre-
tax and after-tax rate as pension funds are generally not subject to income tax. The expected long-term rate of return is based on 
the weighted average of the expected returns on investments based upon the target asset allocation of the pension fund. The 
Company’s target allocations for the plan’s assets are presented below:

Equity securities ..............................
Fixed income ...................................
Alternative investments ...................
Total......................................

December 31, 2014

55%

40%

5%

100%

The Retirement Plan invests the majority of its plan assets in common collective trusts which includes a diversified portfolio 
of domestic and international equity securities and fixed income securities. The Retirement Plan fund also invests in a real estate 
limited partnership. The expected rate of returns for the funds are assessed annually and are based on long-term relationships 
among major asset classes and the level of incremental returns that can be earned by the successful implementation of different 
active investment management strategies. Equity returns are based on estimates of long-term inflation rate, real rate of return, 10-
year Treasury bond premium over cash and equity risk premium. Fixed income returns are based on maturity, long-term inflation, 
real rate of return and credit spreads.

FASB guidance on disclosure for pension plans requires disclosure of fair value measurements of plan assets. To increase 
consistency and comparability in fair value measurements, FASB guidance on fair value measurements established a fair value 
hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value into three levels as follows:

•

•

•

Level 1 – Observable inputs that reflect quoted market prices for identical assets and liabilities in active markets. Prices
or  securities  held  in  the  mutual  funds  and  underlying  portfolios  of  the  Retirement  Plan  are  primarily  obtained  from
independent pricing services. These prices are based on observable market data.

Level 2 – Inputs other than quoted market prices included in Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability either
directly  or  indirectly.  The  fair  value  of  the  Guaranteed  Investment  Contract  was  based  on  market  interest  rates  of
investments with similar terms and risk characteristics. The Common Collective Trusts are valued using the net asset
value ("NAV") provided by the administrator of the fund. The NAV price is quoted on a restrictive market although the
underlying investments are traded on active markets.

Level 3 – Unobservable inputs using data that is not corroborated by market data. The fair value of the real estate limited
partnership is reported at the NAV of the investment.

84

EL PASO ELECTRIC COMPANY
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The fair value of the Company’s Retirement Plan assets at December 31, 2014 and 2013, and the level within the three levels 
of the fair value hierarchy defined by FASB guidance on fair value measurements are presented in the table below (in thousands):

Description of Securities
Cash and Cash Equivalents ......................................................... $
Common Collective Trusts (a)

Fair Value as of
December 31,
2014

Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets for
Identical Assets
(Level 1)

Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)

Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)

1,237

$

1,237

$

— $

—

Equity funds .............................................................................
Fixed income funds..................................................................
Total Common Collective Trusts..........................................
Limited Partnership Interest in Real Estate (b) ...........................

Total Plan Investments ......................................................... $

149,839
113,115
262,954
8,748
272,939

$

—
—
—
—
1,237

Description of Securities
Cash and Cash Equivalents ......................................................... $
Guaranteed Investment Contract .................................................
Common Collective Trust (a)

Equity funds .............................................................................
Fixed income funds..................................................................
       Total Common Collective Trusts..........................................
Limited Partnership Interest in Real Estate (b) ...........................

Total Plan Investments ......................................................... $

Fair Value as of
December 31,
2013

Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets for
Identical Assets
(Level 1)

$

940
1,126

142,960
103,948
246,908
8,857
257,831

$

940
—

—
—
—
—
940

149,839
113,115
262,954
—
262,954

$

—
—
—
8,748
8,748

Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)

Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)

— $

1,126

142,960
103,948
246,908
—
248,034

$

—
—

—
—
—
8,857
8,857

$

$

$

 _____________________
(a)  The Common Collective Trusts are invested in equity or fixed income securities, or a combination thereof. The investment 

objective of each trust is to produce returns in excess of, or commensurate with, its predefined index.

(b)  This investment is a commercial real estate partnership that purchases land, develops limited infrastructure, and sells it for 
commercial development. The Company is restricted from selling its partnership interest during the life of the partnership 
which is generally 5-7 years. Return on investment is realized as land is sold. The fair value of the limited partnership interest 
in real estate is based on the NAV of the partnership which reflects the appraised value of the land.  

The table below reflects the changes in the fair value of investments in real estate during the period (in thousands): 

Balances at December 31, 2012 .................................................................................. $
Unrealized gain in fair value ................................................................................
Balances at December 31, 2013 ..................................................................................
Sale of land...........................................................................................................
Unrealized gain in fair value ................................................................................
Balances at December 31, 2014 .................................................................................. $

8,559
298
8,857
(357)
248
8,748

Fair Value of
Investments in
Real Estate

 There were no transfers in or out of Level 1 and Level 2 fair value measurements categories due to changes in observable 
inputs during the twelve month periods ending December 31, 2014 and 2013. Except as noted in the above table, there were no 
purchases, issuances, and settlements related to the assets in the Level 3 fair value measurement category during the twelve month 
periods ending  December 31, 2014 and 2013.

85

EL PASO ELECTRIC COMPANY
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The Company adheres to the traditional capital market pricing theory which maintains that over the long term, the risk of 
owning equities should be rewarded with a greater return than available from fixed income investments. The Company seeks to 
minimize the risk of owning equity securities by investing in funds that pursue risk minimization strategies and by diversifying 
its investments to limit its risks during falling markets. The investment manager has full discretionary authority to direct the 
investment of plan assets held in trust within the guidelines prescribed by the Company through the plan’s investment policy 
statement including the ability to hold cash equivalents. The investment guidelines of the investment policy statement are in 
accordance with the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 ("ERISA") and Department of Labor ("DOL") regulations.

The Company contributes at least the minimum funding amounts required by the IRS for the Retirement Plan, as actuarially 

calculated. The Company expects to contribute $11.3 million to its retirement plans in 2015. 

The following benefit payments, which reflect expected future service, as appropriate, are expected to be paid (in thousands):

Retirement
Income
Plan

Non-Qualified
Retirement
Plans

2015 ........................................................................... $
2016 ...........................................................................
2017 ...........................................................................
2018 ...........................................................................
2019 ...........................................................................
2020-2024..................................................................

$

15,776
17,153
17,778
20,019
19,500
103,703

2,319
2,248
2,171
2,196
2,135
10,720

401(k) Defined Contribution Plans

The  Company  sponsors  401(k)  defined  contribution  plans  covering  substantially  all  employees.  Annual  matching 
contributions made to the savings plans for the years 2014, 2013 and 2012 were $3.0 million, $1.9 million, and $1.8 million, 
respectively.  Historically,  the  Company  had  provided  a  50  percent  matching  contribution  up  to  6  percent  of  the  employee’s 
compensation subject to certain other limits and exclusions.  Effective April 1, 2014, for employees who enrolled in the cash 
balance  pension  plan  (discussed  above),  the  Company  provided  a  100  percent  matching  contribution  up  to  6  percent  of  the 
employee's compensation subject to certain other limits and exclusions.

Other Post-retirement Benefits

The Company provides certain health care benefits for retired employees and their eligible dependents and life insurance 
benefits for retired employees only. Substantially all of the Company’s employees may become eligible for those benefits if they 
retire while working for the Company. Contributions from the Company are generally no more than the IRS tax deductible limit, 
as actuarially calculated. The assets of the plan are primarily invested in common collective trusts which hold equity securities, 
debt securities, and cash equivalents and are managed by a professional investment manager appointed by the Company.

86

EL PASO ELECTRIC COMPANY
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The following table contains a reconciliation of the change in the benefit obligation, the fair value of plan assets, and the 

funded status of the plan (in thousands):

Change in benefit obligation:

Benefit obligation at end of prior year .................................................................................... $
Service cost..............................................................................................................................
Interest cost..............................................................................................................................
Actuarial loss (gain) ................................................................................................................
Amendment (a)........................................................................................................................
Benefits paid............................................................................................................................
Retiree contributions ...............................................................................................................
Benefit obligation at end of year ......................................................................................

Change in plan assets:

Fair value of plan assets at end of prior year...........................................................................
Actual return on plan assets.....................................................................................................
Employer contribution.............................................................................................................
Benefits paid............................................................................................................................
Retiree contributions ...............................................................................................................
Fair value of plan assets at end of year ............................................................................
Funded status at end of year ............................................................................................. $

December 31,

2014

2013

$

92,847
2,845
4,463
3,465
—
(4,031)
1,111
100,700

42,192
2,086
—
(4,031)
1,111
41,358
(59,342) $

135,680
3,843
5,156
(48,778)
(97)
(4,013)
1,056
92,847

36,510
5,539
3,100
(4,013)
1,056
42,192
(50,655)

_____________________
(a)  Amendment relates to modification of the Company's Other Post-retirement Benefit Plan which limits the Company's premium 

contribution. The amendment became effective October 3, 2013 and resulted in a remeasurement of the plan. 

Amounts recognized in the Company's balance sheets consist of the following (in thousands):       

Current liabilities ............................................... $
Noncurrent liabilities .........................................

— $

(59,342)

Total............................................................ $

(59,342) $

—
(50,655)
(50,655)

December 31,

2014

2013

Amounts recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income consist of the following (in thousands):

Net gain ............................................................. $
Prior service benefit...........................................

Total............................................................ $

December 31,

2014
(31,943) $
(14,457)
(46,400) $

2013
(38,110)
(19,210)
(57,320)

87

EL PASO ELECTRIC COMPANY
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The following are the weighted-average actuarial assumptions used to determine the accrued post-retirement benefit 

obligations:

Discount rate at end of year ...............................................................
Health care cost trend rates:

December 31,

2014

2013

4.10%

4.90%

Initial...........................................................................................
Ultimate ......................................................................................
Year ultimate reached .................................................................

7.25%
4.50%
2026

7.50%
4.50%
2026

The discount rate is reviewed at each measurement date. The discount rate used to measure obligations is based on a spot 
rate yield curve that matches projected future payments with the appropriate interest rate applicable to the timing of the projected 
future benefit payments. A 1% increase in the discount rate would decrease the December 31, 2014 accumulated post-retirement 
benefit obligation by 13.5%.  A 1% decrease in the discount rate would increase the December 31, 2014 accumulated post-retirement 
benefit obligation by 17.2%. 

Net periodic benefit cost is made up of the components listed below (in thousands):

Years Ended December 31,

2014

2013

2012

Service cost ........................................................................................................... $
Interest cost ...........................................................................................................
Expected return on plan assets ..............................................................................
Amortization of:

Prior service benefit .......................................................................................
Net (gain) loss ................................................................................................

Net periodic benefit cost......................................................................... $

$

2,845
4,463
(2,116)

(4,753)
(2,671)
(2,232) $

3,843
5,156
(1,951)

(5,657)
(626)
765

$

$

4,378
5,651
(1,714)

(5,877)
615
3,053

The changes in benefit obligations recognized in other comprehensive income are presented below (in thousands):

Net (gain) loss ....................................................................................................... $
Prior service benefit ..............................................................................................
Amortization of:

2014

3,496
—

Prior service benefit .......................................................................................
Net gain (loss) ................................................................................................
Total recognized in other comprehensive income................................................. $

4,753
2,671
10,920

2013
(52,366) $
(97)

2012

(5,900)
—

5,657
626
(46,180) $

5,877
(615)
(638)

$

$

Years Ended December 31,

The total amount recognized in net periodic benefit cost and other comprehensive income are presented below (in thousands):

Total recognized in net periodic benefit cost and other comprehensive income .. $

8,688

$

2014

2013
(45,415) $

2012

2,415

Years Ended December 31,

The amount in accumulated other comprehensive income that is expected to be recognized as a component of net periodic 

benefit cost during 2015 is a prior service benefit of $3.1 million and a net gain of $2.0 million.

88

EL PASO ELECTRIC COMPANY
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The following are the weighted-average actuarial assumptions used to determine the net periodic benefit cost for the twelve 

months ended December 31:

2014

2013 (a)

2012

Discount rate at beginning of year ..................................................................
Expected long-term return on plan assets .......................................................
Health care cost trend rates:

Initial ........................................................................................................
Ultimate....................................................................................................
Year ultimate reached...............................................................................

4.9%
5.2%

7.5%
4.5%
2026

4.1%
5.2%

7.75%
4.5%
2026

4.3%
5.2%

8.0%
4.5%
2026

_____________________
(a) The Other Post-retirement Benefits Plan was remeasured at October 3, 2013 due to a plan amendment. The discount rate 
increased from 4.1% as of January 1, 2013 to 4.9% at the remeasurement date. All other assumptions remained consistent with 
assumptions used at January 1, 2013.

For measurement purposes, a 7.5% annual rate of increase in the per capita cost of covered health care benefits was assumed 
for 2014. The rate was assumed to decrease gradually to 4.5% for 2026 and remain at that level thereafter. Assumed health care 
cost trend rates have a significant effect on the amounts reported for the health care plan. The effect of a 1% change in these 
assumed health care cost trend rates would increase or decrease the December 31, 2014 benefit obligation by $16.1 million or 
$12.9 million, respectively.  In addition, a 1% change in said rate would increase or decrease the aggregate 2014 service and 
interest cost components of the net periodic benefit cost by $1.4 million or $1.1 million, respectively.

The Company’s overall expected long-term rate of return on assets, on an after-tax basis, is 5.2% effective January 1, 2014. 
The expected long-term rate of return is based on the after-tax weighted average of the expected returns on investments based 
upon the target asset allocation. The Company’s target allocations for the plan’s assets are presented below:

Equity securities ..............................
Fixed income ...................................
Alternative investments ...................
Total..........................................

December 31, 2014

65%

30%

5%

100%

The Other Post-retirement Benefit Plan invests the majority of its plan assets in common collective trusts which includes a 
diversified portfolio of domestic and international equity securities and fixed income securities. The asset portfolio also includes 
cash equivalents and a real estate limited partnership. The expected rates of return for the funds are assessed annually and are 
based on long-term relationships among major asset classes and the level of incremental returns that can be earned by the successful 
implementation of different active investment management strategies. Equity returns are based on estimates of long-term inflation 
rate, real rate of return, 10-year Treasury bond premium over cash and equity risk premium. Fixed income returns are based on 
maturity, long-term inflation, real rate of return and credit spreads.

FASB guidance on disclosure for other post-retirement benefit plans requires disclosure of fair value measurements of plan 
assets.  To  increase  consistency  and  comparability  in  fair  value  measurements,  FASB  guidance  on  fair  value  measurements 
established a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value into three levels as 
follows:

•

•

Level 1 – Observable inputs that reflect quoted market prices for identical assets and liabilities in active markets. Prices
or securities held in the mutual funds and underlying portfolios of the Other Post-retirement Benefits Plan are primarily
obtained from independent pricing services. These prices are based on observable market data.

Level 2 – Inputs other than quoted market prices included in Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability either
directly or indirectly.  The fair value of municipal securities-tax-exempt are reported at fair value based on evaluated
prices that reflect observable market information, such as actual trade information of similar securities, adjusted for

89

EL PASO ELECTRIC COMPANY
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

observable differences. The Common Collective Trusts are valued using the NAV provided by the administrator of the 
fund. The NAV price is quoted on a restrictive market although the underlying investments are traded on  active markets.

•

Level 3 – Unobservable inputs using data that is not corroborated by market data. The fair value of the real estate limited
partnership is reported at the NAV of the investment.

The fair value of the Company’s Other Post-retirement Benefits Plan assets at December 31, 2014 and 2013, and the level 
within the three levels of the fair value hierarchy defined by FASB guidance on fair value measurements are presented in the table 
below (in thousands): 

Description of Securities
Cash and Cash Equivalents ......................................................... $
Common Collective Trusts (a)

Fair Value as of
December 31,
2014

Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets for
Identical Assets
(Level 1)

Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)

Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)

1,100

$

1,100

$

— $

—

Equity funds .............................................................................
Fixed income funds..................................................................
Total Common Collective Trusts..........................................
Limited Partnership Interest in Real Estate (b) ...........................

Total Plan Investments ......................................................... $

26,399
12,219
38,618
1,640
41,358

$

—
—
—
—
1,100

$

26,399
12,219
38,618
—
38,618

$

—
—
—
1,640
1,640

Description of Securities
Cash and Cash Equivalents ......................................................... $
Common Collective Trust (a)

Fair Value as of
December 31,
2013

Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets for
Identical Assets
(Level 1)

Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)

Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)

33

$

33

$

— $

—

Equity funds .............................................................................
Fixed income funds..................................................................
Total Common Collective Trusts..........................................
Limited Partnership Interest in Real Estate (b) ...........................

Total Plan Investments ......................................................... $

28,077
12,421
40,498
1,661
42,192

$

—
—
—
—
33

$

28,077
12,421
40,498
—
40,498

$

—
—
—
1,661
1,661

 ___________________
(a)  The Common Collective Trusts are invested in equity or fixed income securities, or a combination thereof. The investment 

objective of each trust is to produce returns in excess of, or commensurate with, its predefined index.

(b)  This investment is a commercial real estate partnership that purchases land, develops limited infrastructure, and sells it for 
commercial development. The Company is restricted from selling its partnership interest during the life of the partnership 
which is generally 5-7 years. Return of investment is realized as land is sold. The fair value of the limited partnership interest 
in real estate is based on the NAV of the partnership which reflects the appraised value of the land.  

The table below reflects the changes in the fair value of the investments in real estate during the period (in thousands): 

Fair Value of
Investments  in
Real Estate

Balance at December 31, 2012......... $
 Unrealized gain in fair value......
Balance at December 31, 2013.........
Sale of land................................
 Unrealized gain in fair value......
Balance at December 31, 2014......... $

1,605
56
1,661
(67)
46
1,640

90

EL PASO ELECTRIC COMPANY
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 There were no transfers in or out of Level 1 and Level 2 fair value measurements categories due to changes in observable 
inputs during the twelve month periods ending December 31, 2014 and 2013. Except as noted in the above table, there were no 
purchases, issuances, and settlements related to the assets in the Level 3 fair value measurement category during the twelve month 
periods ending  December 31, 2014 and 2013.

The Company adheres to the traditional capital market pricing theory which maintains that over the long term, the risk of 
owning equities should be rewarded with a greater return than available from fixed income investments. The Company seeks to 
minimize the risk of owning equity securities by investing in funds that pursue risk minimization strategies and by diversifying 
its investments to limit its risks during falling markets. The investment manager has full discretionary authority to direct the 
investment of plan assets held in trust within the guidelines prescribed by the Company through the plan’s investment policy 
statement including the ability to hold cash equivalents. The investment guidelines of the investment policy statement are in 
accordance with the ERISA and DOL regulations.

The Company does not expect to contribute to its other post-retirement benefits plan in 2015. The following benefit 

payments, which reflect expected future service, as appropriate, are expected to be paid (in thousands): 

2015 .................................................................................. $
2016 ..................................................................................
2017 ..................................................................................
2018 ..................................................................................
2019 ..................................................................................
2020-2024 .........................................................................

3,163
3,528
3,906
4,303
4,570
27,362

Annual Short-Term Incentive Plan

The Annual Short-Term Incentive Plan (the "Incentive Plan") provides for the payment of cash awards to eligible Company 
employees, including each of its named executive officers. Payment of awards is based on the achievement of performance measures 
reviewed and approved by the Company’s Board of Directors’ Compensation Committee. Generally, these performance measures 
are based on meeting certain financial, operational and individual performance criteria. The financial performance goals are based 
on earnings per share and the operational performance goals are based on safety, compliance, customer satisfaction, and reliability. 
If a specified level of earnings per share is not attained, no amounts will be paid under the Incentive Plan. In 2014, the Company 
reached the required levels of earnings per share, safety, compliance, and customer satisfaction goals for an incentive payment of 
$7.4 million. In 2013 and 2012, the Company reached the required levels of earnings per share, safety, regulatory compliance, 
and customer satisfaction goals for an incentive payment of $4.0 million and $7.9 million, respectively. The Company has renewed 
the Incentive Plan in 2015 with similar goals.

N.  

Franchises and Significant Customers

El Paso and Las Cruces Franchises 

The Company has a franchise agreement with El Paso, the largest city it serves. The franchise agreement allows the Company 
to utilize public rights-of-way necessary to serve its retail customers within El Paso. The Company is also providing electric 
distribution service to Las Cruces under an implied franchise by satisfying all obligations under the franchise agreement that 
expired on April 30, 2009.  

The franchise arrangements held between the Company and the cities of El Paso and Las Cruces are detailed below: 

City

El Paso

Las Cruces

Period

August 1, 2010 - Present

February 1, 2000 - Present

Franchise Fee (a)
(b)

4.00%

2.00%

  _________________
(a) Based on a percentage of revenue. 
  (b) 0.75% of the El Paso franchise fee is to be placed in a restricted fund to be used solely for economic 

development and renewable energy purposes. 
91

EL PASO ELECTRIC COMPANY
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Military Installations 

The Company serves Holloman Air Force Base ("Holloman"), White Sands Missile Range ("White Sands") and Fort Bliss. 
The military installations represent approximately 5% of the Company's annual retail revenues. In July 2014, the Company signed 
an agreement with Fort Bliss for an initial three-year term under which Fort Bliss takes retail electric service from the Company 
under the applicable Texas tariffs. The Company is serving White Sands under the applicable New Mexico tariffs. In March 2006, 
the Company signed a contract with Holloman that provides for the Company to provide retail electric service and limited wheeling 
services to Holloman for a ten-year term which expires in January 2016. 

92

EL PASO ELECTRIC COMPANY
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

O.  

Financial Instruments and Investments

FASB guidance requires the Company to disclose estimated fair values for its financial instruments.  The Company has 
determined that cash and temporary investments, investment in debt securities, accounts receivable, decommissioning trust funds, 
long-term debt, short-term borrowings under the RCF, accounts payable and customer deposits meet the definition of financial 
instruments.   The  carrying  amounts  of  cash  and  temporary  investments,  accounts receivable,  accounts  payable and  customer 
deposits approximate fair value because of the short maturity of these items.  Investments in debt securities and decommissioning 
trust funds are carried at fair value.

Long-Term Debt and Short-Term Borrowings Under the RCF.  The fair values of the Company's long-term debt and short-
term borrowings under the RCF are based on estimated market prices for similar issues and are presented below (in thousands):

December 31,

2014

2013

Carrying
Amount

Estimated
Fair Value

Carrying
Amount

Estimated
Fair Value

Pollution Control Bonds .............................................................. $
Senior Notes ................................................................................
RGRT Senior Notes (1) ...............................................................
RCF (1)........................................................................................

193,135
846,044
110,000
14,532
Total............................................................................... $ 1,163,711

$

213,083
968,728
117,215
14,532
$ 1,313,558

$

193,135
696,485
110,000
14,352
$ 1,013,972

$

193,990
734,515
115,850
14,352
$ 1,058,707

 __________________
(1)  Nuclear fuel financing as of December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013 is funded through the $110 million RGRT Senior 
Notes and $14.5 million and $14.4 million, respectively under the RCF.  As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, no amount was 
outstanding under the RCF for working capital or general corporate purposes.  The interest rate on the Company’s borrowings 
under the RCF is reset throughout the period reflecting current market rates.  Consequently, the carrying value approximates 
fair value.

Treasury Rate Locks.  The Company entered into treasury rate lock agreements in 2005 to hedge against potential movements 
in the treasury reference interest rate pending the issuance of the 6% Senior Notes.  The treasury rate lock agreements met the 
criteria for hedge accounting and were designated as a cash flow hedge.  In accordance with cash flow hedge accounting, the 
Company recorded the loss associated with the fair value of the cash flow hedge, net of tax, as a component of accumulated other 
comprehensive loss and amortizes the accumulated comprehensive loss to earnings as interest expense over the life of the 6% 
Senior Notes.  In 2015, approximately $0.5 million of this accumulated other comprehensive loss item will be reclassified to 
interest expense.

Contracts  and  Derivative  Accounting.    The  Company  uses  commodity  contracts  to  manage  its  exposure  to  price  and 
availability  risks  for  fuel  purchases  and  power  sales  and  purchases  and  these  contracts  generally  have  the  characteristics  of 
derivatives.  The Company does not trade or use these instruments with the objective of earning financial gains on the commodity 
price fluctuations.  The Company has determined that all such contracts outstanding at December 31, 2014, except for certain 
natural gas commodity contracts with optionality features, that had the characteristics of derivatives met the "normal purchases 
and normal sales" exception provided in FASB guidance for accounting for derivative instruments and hedging activities, and, as 
such, were not required to be accounted for as derivatives.

The Company determined that certain of its natural gas commodity contracts with optionality features are not eligible for 
the  normal  purchases  exception  and,  therefore,  are  required  to  be  accounted  for  as  derivative  instruments  pursuant  to  FASB 
guidance for accounting for derivative instruments and hedging activities.  However, as of December 31, 2014, the variable, 
market-based pricing provisions of existing gas contracts are such that these derivative instruments have no significant fair value.

Marketable Securities.  The Company’s marketable securities, included in decommissioning trust funds in the balance sheets, 
are reported at fair value which was $234.3 million and $214.1 million at December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. These 
securities are classified as available for sale under FASB guidance for certain investments in debt and equity securities and are 
valued using prices and other relevant information generated by market transactions involving identical or comparable securities. 
The reported fair values include gross unrealized losses on marketable securities whose impairment the Company has deemed to 
be temporary.  The tables below present the gross unrealized losses and the fair value of these securities, aggregated by investment 
category and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position (in thousands):

93

EL PASO ELECTRIC COMPANY
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

December 31, 2014

Less than 12 Months

12 Months or Longer

Total

Fair
Value

Unrealized
Losses

Fair
Value

Unrealized
Losses

Fair
Value

Unrealized
Losses

— $

Description of Securities (1):
Federal Agency Mortgage Backed Securities ....... $
U.S. Government Bonds .......................................
Municipal Obligations...........................................
Corporate Obligations ...........................................
Total Debt Securities......................................
Common Stock......................................................
Common Collective Trust-Equity Funds ..............

1,552
6,433
2,455
10,440
1,475
22,736
Total Temporarily Impaired Securities...... $ 34,651

$

— $
(2)
(65)
(24)
(91)
(229)
(821)

2,383
20,060
8,570
2,461
33,474
—
—
(1,141) $ 33,474

$

$

(57) $
(573)
(410)
(111)
(1,151)
—
—

2,383
21,612
15,003
4,916
43,914
1,475
22,736
(1,151) $ 68,125

$

$

(57)
(575)
(475)
(135)
(1,242)
(229)
(821)
(2,292)

 ____________________
(1) 

Includes approximately 106 securities.

December 31, 2013

Less than 12 Months

12 Months or Longer

Total

Fair
Value

Unrealized
Losses

Fair
Value

Unrealized
Losses

Fair
Value

Unrealized
Losses

Description of Securities (2):
Federal Agency Mortgage Backed Securities ....... $
U.S. Government Bonds .......................................
Municipal Obligations...........................................
Corporate Obligations ...........................................
Total Debt Securities......................................
Common stock ......................................................

6,444
8,114
12,286
3,284
30,128
2,305
Total Temporarily Impaired Securities...... $ 32,433

$

$

 ______________________
(2) 

Includes approximately 122 securities.

(169) $
1,421
(245)
10,866
(335)
7,782
(96)
901
(845)
20,970
(126)
—
(971) $ 20,970

$

$

(119) $
(840)
(479)
(54)
(1,492)
—

7,865
18,980
20,068
4,185
51,098
2,305
(1,492) $ 53,403

$

$

(288)
(1,085)
(814)
(150)
(2,337)
(126)
(2,463)

The Company monitors the length of time the security trades below its cost basis along with the amount and percentage of 
the unrealized loss in determining if a decline in fair value of marketable securities below recorded cost is considered to be other 
than temporary. In addition, the Company will research the future prospects of individual securities as necessary. As a result of 
these factors, as well as the Company’s intent and ability to hold these securities until their market price recovers, these securities 
are considered temporarily impaired. The Company does not anticipate expending monies held in trust before 2044 or a later 
period when the Company begins to decommission Palo Verde.

94

EL PASO ELECTRIC COMPANY
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The reported fair values also include gross unrealized gains on marketable securities which have not been recognized in the 
Company’s net income. The table below presents the unrecognized gross unrealized gains and the fair value of these securities, 
aggregated by investment category (in thousands):

Description of Securities:
Federal Agency Mortgage Backed Securities.............................. $
U.S. Government Bonds..............................................................
Municipal Obligations .................................................................
Corporate Obligations .................................................................
Total Debt Securities.....................................................
Common Stock ............................................................................
Equity Mutual Funds ...................................................................
Cash and Cash Equivalents .........................................................

Total .................................................................... $

December 31, 2014

December 31, 2013

Fair
Value

Unrealized
Gains

Fair
Value

Unrealized
Gains

15,388
20,016
11,642
13,762
60,808
99,160
—
6,193
166,161

$

$

665
567
595
850
2,677
48,253
—
—
50,930

$

$

9,929
6,258
8,783
9,188
34,158
103,808
16,802
5,924
160,692

$

$

433
126
450
506
1,515
43,145
3,081
—
47,741

The Company’s marketable securities include investments in municipal, corporate and federal debt obligations.  Substantially 
all of the Company’s mortgage-backed securities, based on contractual maturity, are due in ten years or more.  The mortgage-
backed securities have an estimated weighted average maturity which generally range from two years to six years and reflects 
anticipated future prepayments.  The contractual year for maturity for these available-for-sale securities as of December 31, 2014 
is as follows (in thousands): 

Municipal Debt Obligations............................... $
Corporate Debt Obligations ...............................
U.S. Government Bonds ....................................

$

26,645
18,678
41,628

$

1,011
720
3,050

$

11,318
5,163
17,520

$

12,967
6,517
12,062

1,349
6,278
8,996

Total

2015

2016
through
2019

2020 through
2024

2025 and
Beyond

The Company recognizes impairment losses on certain of its securities deemed to be other than temporary. In accordance 
with FASB guidance, these impairment losses are recognized in net income, and a lower cost basis is established for these securities. 
For the twelve months ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012 the Company recognized other than temporary impairment 
losses on its available-for-sale securities as follows (in thousands): 

Unrealized holding losses included in pre-tax income ......................................... $

— $

— $

(479)

2014

2013

2012

95

EL PASO ELECTRIC COMPANY
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The Company’s marketable securities in its decommissioning trust funds are sold from time to time and the Company uses 
the specific identification basis to determine the amount to reclassify out of accumulated other comprehensive income and into 
net income.  The proceeds from the sale of these securities during the twelve months ended December 31, 2014, 2013, and 2012 
and the related effects on pre-tax income are as follows (in thousands): 

Proceeds from sales or maturities of available-for-sale securities ........................ $
Gross realized gains included in pre-tax income .................................................. $
Gross realized losses included in pre-tax income .................................................

Gross unrealized losses included in pre-tax income .............................................
        Net gains (losses) in pre-tax income ............................................................. $
Net unrealized holding gains included in accumulated other comprehensive
income ................................................................................................................... $
Net (gains) losses reclassified out of accumulated other comprehensive income
        Net gains in other comprehensive income .................................................... $

2014
108,311

7,858
(508)
—

7,350

10,827
(7,350)
3,477

$

$

$

$

$

2013

2012

56,148

986
(433)
—

553

17,699
(553)
17,146

$

$

$

$

$

98,542

1,478
(2,041)
(479)
(1,042)

9,927

1,042

10,969

Fair Value Measurements.  FASB guidance requires the Company to provide expanded quantitative disclosures for financial 
assets and liabilities recorded on the balance sheet at fair value.  Financial assets carried at fair value include the Company's 
decommissioning trust investments and investments in debt securities which are included in deferred charges and other assets on 
the balance sheets.  The Company has no liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis.  The FASB guidance 
establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value into three levels as 
follows:

•

•

•

Level 1 - Observable inputs that reflect quoted market prices for identical assets and liabilities in active markets.  Financial
assets utilizing Level 1 inputs include the nuclear decommissioning trust investments in active exchange-traded equity
securities, mutual funds and U.S. Treasury securities that are in a highly liquid and active market.

Level 2 - Inputs other than quoted market prices included in Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability either
directly or indirectly.  Financial assets utilizing Level 2 inputs include the nuclear decommissioning trust investments in
fixed income securities.  The fair value of these financial instruments is based on evaluated prices that reflect observable
market  information,  such  as  actual  trade  information  of  similar  securities,  adjusted  for  observable  differences.   The
Common Collective Trusts are valued using the net asset value ("NAV") provided by the administrator of the fund.  The
NAV price is quoted on a restrictive market although the underlying investments are traded on active markets.

Level 3 - Unobservable inputs using data that is not corroborated by market data and primarily based on internal Company
analysis  using  models  and  various  other  analysis.    Financial  assets  utilizing  Level  3  inputs  include  the  Company's
investments in debt securities.

The securities in the Company’s decommissioning trust funds are valued using prices and other relevant information generated 
by market transactions involving identical or comparable securities.  FASB guidance identifies this valuation technique as the 
"market approach" with observable inputs.  The Company analyzes available-for-sale securities to determine if losses are other 
than temporary.

96

EL PASO ELECTRIC COMPANY
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

During the first quarter of 2014, the Company sold its nuclear decommissioning trust investments in equity mutual funds, 
classified as Level 1, and invested those assets in common collective trusts which are classified as Level 2.  The fair value of the 
Company’s decommissioning trust funds and investments in debt securities, at December 31, 2014 and 2013, and the level within 
the three levels of the fair value hierarchy defined by FASB guidance are presented in the table below (in thousands): 

Description of Securities
Trading Securities:

Fair Value as  
of
December 31,
2014

Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets for
Identical Assets
(Level 1)

Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)

Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)

Investments in Debt Securities ................................

Available for sale:

U.S. Government Bonds..........................................
Federal Agency Mortgage Backed Securities..........
Municipal Obligations .............................................
Corporate Obligations .............................................
Subtotal, Debt Securities ..................................
Common Stock ........................................................
Common Collective Trust-Equity Funds.................
Cash and Cash Equivalents .....................................
Total available for sale .....................................

$

$

$

1,653

41,628
17,771
26,645
18,678
104,722
100,635
22,736
6,193
234,286

$

$

$

— $

— $

1,653

41,628
—
—
—
41,628
100,635
—
6,193
148,456

$

— $

17,771
26,645
18,678
63,094
—
22,736
—
85,830

$

$

—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—

Description of Securities
Trading Securities:

Fair Value as  
of
December 31,
2013

Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets for
Identical Assets
(Level 1)

Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)

Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)

Investments in Debt Securities ............................................. $

1,555

Available for sale:

U.S. Government Bonds....................................................... $
Federal Agency Mortgage Backed Securities ......................
Municipal Obligations..........................................................
Corporate Obligations ..........................................................
Subtotal, Debt Securities...............................................
Common Stock.....................................................................
Equity Mutual Funds............................................................
Cash and Cash Equivalents ..................................................

Total available for sale .................................................. $

25,238
17,794
28,851
13,373
85,256
106,113
16,802
5,924
214,095

$

$

$

— $

— $

1,555

25,238
—
—
—
25,238
106,113
16,802
5,924
154,077

$

— $

17,794
28,851
13,373
60,018
—
—
—
60,018

$

$

—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—

Below  is  a  reconciliation of  the beginning  and  ending  balance of  the  fair  value of  the  investment in  debt  securities (in 

thousands): 

Balance at January 1 ....................................................................................................................... $
Net unrealized gains in fair value recognized in income (a) ...................................................
Balance at December 31 ................................................................................................................. $
_____________________
(a)  These amounts are reflected in the Company's statement of operations as investment and interest income.

1,555
98
1,653

$

$

1,295
260
1,555

2014

2013

There were no transfers in or out of Level 1 and Level 2 fair value measurements categories due to changes in observable 
inputs during the twelve month periods ending December 31, 2014 and 2013. There were no purchases, sales, issuances, and 
settlements  related  to  the  assets  in  the  Level  3  fair  value  measurement  category  during  the  twelve  month  periods  ending 
December 31, 2014 and 2013.

97

EL PASO ELECTRIC COMPANY
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

P. 

Supplemental Statements of Cash Flows Disclosures 

Years Ended December 31,

2014

2013

2012

(In thousands)

Cash paid for:

Interest on long-term debt and borrowing under the revolving credit
facility ............................................................................................................. $
Income taxes, net of refund ............................................................................

Non-cash financing activities:

Grants of restricted shares of common stock..................................................

Issuance of performance shares ......................................................................

54,792

$

53,752

$

6,876

3,025

—

244

3,224

849

50,189

5,031

2,411

1,193

98

EL PASO ELECTRIC COMPANY
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Q.  

Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)

The following table summarizes the Company’s unaudited results of operations on a quarterly basis.  The quarterly earnings 
per share amounts for a year will not add to the earnings per share for that year due to the weighting of shares used in calculating 
per share data.

2014 Quarters

2013 Quarters

4th

3rd

2nd

1st

4th

3rd

2nd

1st

(In thousands except for share data)

Operating revenues (1) .............. $196,563
Operating income ......................
8,871

Net income.................................

4,241

Basic earnings per share:

$283,645

$251,801

$185,516

$190,297

$282,661

$240,114

$177,290

81,496

52,476

51,131

30,096

9,665

4,615

6,050

1,191

85,896

50,565

54,344

29,193

19,345

7,634

Net income .........................

0.10

1.30

0.75

0.11

0.03

1.26

0.73

0.19

Diluted earnings per share:

Net income .........................
Dividends declared per share of
common stock............................

0.10

1.30

0.75

0.11

0.03

1.26

0.72

0.280

0.280

0.280

0.265

0.265

0.265

0.265

0.19

0.25

 ________________
(1)  Operating revenues are seasonal in nature, with the peak sales periods generally occurring during the summer months. 

Comparisons among quarters of a year may not represent overall trends and changes in operations.

99

Item 9.

Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

None.

Item 9A.

Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures.  Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, 
including  our  chief  executive  officer  and  our  chief  financial  officer,  we  conducted  an  evaluation  pursuant  to  Rule 13a-15(b) 
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 of our disclosure controls and procedures as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the 
Securities  Exchange  Act  of  1934.    Based  on  that  evaluation,  our  chief  executive  officer  and  our  chief  financial  officer 
concluded that, as of December 31, 2014, our disclosure controls and procedures are effective.

Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Management’s Annual Report on Internal 
Control over Financial Reporting is included herein under the caption "Management Report on Internal Control Over Financial 
Reporting" on page 42 of this report.

Changes  in  internal  control  over  financial  reporting. There  were  no  changes  in  our  internal  control  over  financial 
reporting in connection with the evaluation required by paragraph (d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 Rules 13a-15 or 
15d-15, that occurred during the quarter ended December 31, 2014, that materially affected, or that were reasonably likely to 
materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

Item 9B.

Other Information

None.

The information set forth in Part III and Part IV has been omitted from this Annual Report to Shareholders.

PART III and PART IV

100